Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Distrain?

\Dis*train"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distrained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Distraining}.] [OE. destreinen to force, OF. destreindre to press, oppress, force, fr. L. distringere, districtum, to draw asunder, hinder, molest, LL., to punish severely; di- = stringere to draw tight, press together. See {Strain}, and cf. {Distress}, {District}, {Distraint}.] 1. To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict. [Obs.] ``Distrained with chains.'' --Chaucer. 2. To rend; to tear. [Obs.] Neither guile nor force might it [a net] distrain. --Spenser. 3. (Law) (a) To seize, as a pledge or indemnification; to take possession of as security for nonpayment of rent, the reparation of an injury done, etc.; to take by distress; as, to distrain goods for rent, or of an amercement. (b) To subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a person by his goods and chattels.
\Dis*train"\, v. i. To levy a distress. Upon whom I can distrain for debt. --Camden.