'Withernam' definitions:

Definition of 'Withernam'

From: GCIDE

Withernam \With"er*nam\, n. [AS. wi[eth]ern[=a]m; wi[eth]er against + n[=a]m a seizure, fr. niman to take.] (Law) A second or reciprocal distress of other goods in lieu of goods which were taken by a first distress and have been eloigned; a taking by way of reprisal; -- chiefly used in the expression capias in withernam, which is the name of a writ used in connection with the action of replevin (sometimes called a writ of reprisal), which issues to a defendant in replevin when he has obtained judgment for a return of the chattels replevied, and fails to obtain them on the writ of return. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]