James I know it may sound strange but check out google define:
Seizure of property through Court process to repay a debt.
www.4siterealestate.com/resources/mortgageGlossary.asp

Seizure of property by court order, usually done to have it available in event a judgment is obtained in a pending suit.
www.all-foreclosure.com/define/define1.htm

The act of taking a person's property into the legal custody of a court for the purpose of serving as security for satisfaction of a judgment which has been filed. The action itself is often called a writ of attachment and serves to create a lien against the property. As a result the property may not be sold free of the attachment unless the attachment has either been satisfied or released. Back to top -- View Real Estate Listings
www.virginia-real-estate-online.com/real-estate-terms-A.htm...