- alienation
- "transfer of ownership," late 14c., from M.Fr. alienacion, from L. alienationem (nom. alienatio), noun of action from alienare (see alienate). It also meant "loss or derangement of mental faculties, insanity" (late 15c.), hence alienist. Phrase alienation of affection as a U.S. legal term in divorce cases for "falling in love with someone else" dates to 1861.