from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Chose \Chose\, n.; pl. {Choses}. [F., fr. L. causa cause,
reason. See {Cause}.] (Law)
A thing; personal property.
[1913 Webster]
{Chose in action}, a thing of which one has not possession or
actual enjoyment, but only a right to it, or a right to
demand it by action at law, and which does not exist at
the time in specie; a personal right to a thing not
reduced to possession, but recoverable by suit at law; as
a right to recover money due on a contract, or damages for
a tort, which can not be enforced against a reluctant
party without suit.
{Chose in possession}, a thing in possession, as
distinguished from a thing in action.
{Chose local}, a thing annexed to a place, as a mill.
{Chose transitory}, a thing which is movable. --Cowell.
Blount.
[1913 Webster]