Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DET'I-NUE, n. [Fr. detenu, detained; detenir, to detain.]

In law, a writ of detinue is one that lies against him who wrongfully detains goods or chattels delivered to him, or in his possession. This writ lies for a thing certain and valuable, as for a horse, cow, sheep, plate, cloth, &c., to recover the thing itself or damages for the detainer. – Blackstone.