Au-bāine', n.

(ō-bān'), n. [Fr. aubaine, from aubain, an alien, from Lat. alibi and the suffix -anus. Cf. Fr. loin and lointain, proche and prochain.] Inheritance of the property of a foreigner.

Droit d'aubaine, the right formerly possessed by the king of France to all the personal property of which an alien died possessed. It was finally abolished in 1819. Bouvier.