lien

• Sustantivo con dos significados principales: en derecho, el derecho a retener o embargar bienes ajenos hasta que se cumpla una obligación; en medicina, término anticuado para referirse al bazo, órgano que produce células inmunitarias.

A noun with two primary meanings: in law, it refers to a right to seize another's property if an obligation is not fulfilled; in medicine, it is an older term for the spleen, an organ that produces immune cells.

1. Legal claim on propertyC1formallegal

   The legal right to take and hold or sell the property of a debtor as security or payment for a debt or duty.

   Derecho de retención (gravamen)

   • The bank placed a lien on the house until the mortgage was fully paid.
   • A mechanic's lien allows a repair shop to keep a car until the owner pays for the work.
   • The property was sold to satisfy the outstanding tax lien.

   Sinónimoschargeclaimencumbrancesecurity interest

2. Organ (spleen)C1formalmedical

   A large, dark-red oval organ located on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; it produces cells involved in immune responses.

   Bazo

   • The surgeon had to remove the damaged lien after the accident.
   • The lien plays a crucial role in filtering blood and fighting infection.
   • An enlarged lien can be a sign of certain medical conditions.

   Sinónimosmiltspleen