chattel

[/ˈtʃætəl/]
nounpl: chattels
bem móvel
1. movable personal property; any item of tangible property other than real estate
The furniture and equipment were considered chattels in the estate sale.
Os móveis e equipamentos foram considerados bens móveis na venda do espólio.
2. historically, a slave or enslaved person (archaic and offensive usage)
This historical text unfortunately refers to enslaved people as chattels.
Este texto histórico infelizmente refere-se a pessoas escravizadas como bens móveis.
3. livestock or farm animals
The farm's chattels included cattle, horses, and sheep.
Os bens móveis da fazenda incluíam gado, cavalos e ovelhas.
The word 'chattel' carries significant historical weight in American and Portuguese contexts due to its association with slavery. In modern usage, it primarily refers to movable property in legal and commercial settings. In Brazil, 'bem móvel' is the preferred modern term, while the historical association with slavery is acknowledged in academic and historical discussions. The term is less commonly used in everyday Brazilian Portuguese compared to English legal terminology.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
movable propertypersonal propertypossessiongoodsasset
Antonyms / Antônimos
real estatereal propertyimmovable propertyland

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
bem móvel
standard legal and commercial term
Brazil
propriedade pessoal
alternative term meaning personal property
Portugal
bem móvel
same as Brazilian Portuguese; used in legal contexts
USA Legal
chattel
common in legal documents and contracts

Related Words

propertyassetpossessiongoodsinventoryestate

Related Idioms & Phrases

chattel mortgage - mortgage on movable property
chattel slavery - historical system of enslaving people
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