I. lien
archaic
past part of lie
II. lien ˈlē(ə)n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French, band, tie, bond, from Latin ligamen band, tie, from ligare to bind, tie — more at ligature
1. : a charge upon real or personal property for the satisfaction of some debt or duty ordinarily arising by operation of law : a right in one to control or to hold and retain or enforce a charge against the property of another until some claim of the former is paid or satisfied
the owner of the cargo has a lien on the vessel for any injury — David Davis
efforts to effect a release of the federal tax lien — J.D.Johnson
2.
a. : mortgage
b. : the security interest created by a mortgage
the lien of a mortgage
III. li·en ˈlīən, ˈlīˌen noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin — more at spleen
: spleen