attachment

verb | at·tach

1. : to obtain a court order against (property of another person) that directs an officer of the court (as a sheriff) to seize or take control of the property — compare garnish, levy

   Note: A plaintiff may attach a defendant's property as a way of obtaining jurisdiction for the purpose of bringing a lawsuit or to prevent the defendant from getting rid of property that may be needed to pay a judgment to the plaintiff.

2. : to join or make a part of affidavits attached to the suit —Rosalind Resnick

3. : to create a security interest in (property) and so acquire the right to foreclose on or otherwise deal with property for payment of a debt and to exercise one's rights in the property against third parties — see also security interest at interest 1 — compare perfect

   a : to come into existence as a security interest from the date the interest attaches

   b : to become operative especially as a right the right to counsel attaches only at or after the initiation of adversary judicial proceedings —United States v. Gouveia, 467 U.S. 180 (1984) — see also jeopardy