Lien

(lên.) [Fr., a bond.] (Law.) The right which one person, in certain cases, po e es of detaining property belonging to another, when placed in his po e ion, until some demand, which he has, is satisfied. L. aré of two kinds: particular L., that is, where the person in po e ion of goods may detain them until a claim which accrues to him in respect of those identical goods is satisfied; and general L., that is, where the person in po e ion may detain the goods, not only for his claim accruing in respect of them, but also for the general balance of his account with the owners. Some L. are created by expre agreement, and some by usage. [s. 543]