lien /liːn/noun 2/ˈlaɪ.in/ noun 1forms 2 noun2 •A right to take possession of a debtor’s property as security until a debt or duty is discharged.[…] every youth movement presents itself as loan to the future, and tries to call in its lien in advance, but when there is no future all loans are canceled. — 1989 •(no longer used) tendon lien /ˈlaɪ.in/ noun1 •(no longer used) spleen (a ductless vascular gland)Li'enal. Pertaining to the lien or spleen; splenic. — 1892 formslienes · liens