Law. [f. L. ēlēgit ‘he has chosen,’ 3rd pers. sing. perfect tense of ēligĕre to choose; see quot. 1809.] A writ of execution, by which a creditor is put in possession of (formerly half) the goods and lands of a debtor, until his claim is satisfied.
1503–4. Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 36 § 1. To sue execucion … by write or wryttes of Elegit.
1632. Star Chamb. Cases (1886), 124. He tooke forth an Elegit for the rest of the Judgment.
1796. J. Anstey, Pleader’s Guide (1803), 70. Quare clausum fregit May breed a monster called Elegit.
1809. Tomlins, Law. Dict., Elegit from the words in the writ, elegit sibi liberari, because the plaintiff hath chosen this writ of execution.
1876. Digby, Real Prop., v. § 5. 247. The writ … has ever since the Statute of Westminster II been called the writ of elegit.
b. The right secured by this writ.
1715. M. Davies, Ath. Brit., I. 309. As for Tenancy of Elegit, Statute-Merchant and Staple, [etc.].
1809. Tomlins, Law Dict., s.v., The creditor … during that term … is tenant by elegit.
