Chose
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
property. This is a French word, signifying thing. In law, it is applied to personal property, as choses in possession, are such personal things of which one has possession; choses in action, are such as the owner has not the possession, but merely a right of action for their possession.
2 Bl. Com. 389, 397; 1 Chit. Pract. 99; 1 Supp. to Ves. Jr. 26, 59.
Chitty defines choses in action to be rights to receive or recover a debt, or money, or damages, for breach of contract, or for a tort connected with contract, but which cannot be enforced without action, and therefore termed choses, or things in action. Com. Dig. Biens; Harr. Dig. Chose in Action; Chitty's Eq. Dig. h. t.