What is "writ of detinue"

Detinue \Det"i*nue\ (?; 277), n. [OF. detinu, detenu, p. p. of detenir to detain. See Detain.] A person or thing detained; (Law) A form of action for the recovery of a personal chattel wrongfully detained.

Writ of detinue (Law), one that lies against him who wrongfully detains goods or chattels delivered to him, or in possession, to recover the thing itself, or its value and damages, from the detainer. It is now in a great measure superseded by other remedies.

n. a writ ordering the release of goods that have been unlawfully detained