First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
evict
verb \i-ˈvikt\
: to force (someone) to leave a place
Full Definition of EVICT
transitive verb
1
a : to recover (property) from a person by legal process b : to put (a tenant) out by legal process
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Origin of EVICT
Middle English, from Late Latin evictus, past participle of evincere, from Latin, to vanquish, win a point — more at evince
Synonym Discussion of EVICT
eject, expel, oust, evict mean to drive or force out. eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action <ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar>. expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical <a student expelled from college>. oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion <police ousted the squatters>. evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home <evicted for nonpayment of rent>.
Other Legal Terms
EVICT Defined for Kids
evict
verb \i-ˈvikt\
evict·edevict·ing
Definition of EVICT for Kids
: to force (someone) to leave a place
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