evict
ih-VIKT
/ɪˈvɪkt/
To formally and legally expel a tenant or occupant from property by judicial process.
Implies a legal procedure or landlord action enforcing property rights against occupants.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'evictus', past participle of 'evincere' ('to conquer, legal recovery of property'). Combines 'e-' (thoroughly, out) with 'vincere' (to conquer). Originally meant recovering property in court by proving legal title.
Word relationships
- expel: Expel is a broad term for forcing out (e.g. from school), whereas evict specifically applies to housing and real estate.
- oust: Oust usually applies to political office or positions of power rather than physical residential property.
- house: House means providing someone with shelter or accommodation.
Commonly confused with
- convict: Convict means finding someone guilty of a crime, while evict means expelling someone from property.
Word family
- eviction (noun): The action of expelling someone from property; the legal process of doing so.
Collocations
- evict a tenant
- eviction notice
- lawfully evict
Example sentences
- "The landlord obtained a court order to evict the tenants for failing to pay six months of rent." Property Law
- "Government agencies placed a moratorium on housing actions to prevent families from being evicted during the crisis." Social Policy
Memory hook
E-VICT = VICTORY in court to remove an unwanted occupant. VICTORY for the property owner.
When not to use
Do not use when someone leaves voluntarily or when physical force is used outside the law.
Fun facts
- In legal history, the writ of 'ejectione firmae' was developed in medieval England as the primary common law action for eviction.
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