LIEN

A qualified right of property which a creditor has in. or over specific property of his debtor, as security for the debt or charge or for performance of some act. In every case in which property, either real or personal, is charged with the paymen1 of a debt or duty, every such charge may be denominated a lien on the property. Whitak. Liens, p. L A lien is a charge imposed upon specific property, by which it is made security for the performance of an act. Code Civil Proc. Cal. § 1180. In a narrow and technical sense, the term "lien" signifies the right by which a person in po e ion of personal property holds and d~ tains it again i:t the ow:q,er in satii:faction o_f a demand; but 1t has a.more extensive meamng, and in common acceptation is understood and, used to denote a legal claim or charge on prop- M erty, either real or personal, for the payment of [s. 731]