Webster's English Dictionary

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lien

lien \'le-n, 'le--*n\ n [MF, tie, band, fr. L ligamen, fr. ligare to bind - 
   more at LI]GATURE 1: a charge upon real or personal property for the 
   satisfaction of some deb t or duty ordinarily arising by operation of law 
   2a: MORTGAGE  2b: the security interest created by a mortgage