distrain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb levy a distress on
  2. verb confiscate by distress
  3. verb legally take something in place of a debt payment

WordNet

Dis*train" transitive verb
Etymology
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.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Distrained ; present participle & verbal noun Distraining
Definitions
  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" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To levy a distress.
    Upon whom I can distrain for debt. Camden.

Webster 1913