Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Estreat?

\Es*treat"\, n. [OF. estraite, prop., an extract, fr. p. p. of estraire to extract, F. extraire, fr. L. extrahere. See {Extract}.] (Law) A true copy, duplicate, or extract of an original writing or record, esp. of amercements or penalties set down in the rolls of court to be levied by the bailiff, or other officer. --Cowell. {Estreat of a recognizance}, the extracting or taking out a forfeited recognizance from among the other records of the court, for the purpose of a prosecution in another court, or it may be in the same court. --Burrill.
\Es*treat"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Estreated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Estreating}.] (Law) (a) To extract or take out from the records of a court, and send up to the court of exchequer to be enforced; -- said of a forfeited recognizance. (b) To bring in to the exchequer, as a fine.