distrain

[ dih-streyn ]

/ dɪˈstreɪn /

Law.

verb (used with object)

to constrain by seizing and holding goods, etc., in pledge for rent, damages, etc., or in order to obtain satisfaction of a claim.

to levy a distress upon.

verb (used without object)

to levy a distress.

Nearby words

Origin of distrain

1250–1300; Middle English distreinen < Anglo-French, Old French destreindre < Latin distringere to stretch out, equivalent to di- di-² + stringere to draw tight; see strain¹

Related forms

dis·train·a·ble, adjectivedis·train·ee, noundis·train·ment, noundis·trai·nor, dis·train·er, noun

un·dis·trained, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for distrain

Her creditors had lost all patience, and were threatening to distrain on her property, and even to put her in prison.
The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume IV (of 8)|Guy de Maupassant
Distringas, dis-tring′gas, n. an old writ directing a sheriff or other officer to distrain.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
At the present time, the right to distrain for rent is not recognized by many states.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 3|Various
I'm up to her; she'll be coming here to-morrow, with that devil Thumbscrew, to distrain, I'll be sworn.
Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 1.|Samuel Warren

It was not long before the lawyer came to distrain for tithe.
The Cornish Coast (South)|Charles G. Harper

British Dictionary definitions for distrain

distrain

/ (dɪˈstreɪn) /

verb

law to seize (personal property) by way of distress

Derived Formsdistrainable, adjectivedistrainment, noundistrainor or distrainer, noun

Word Origin for distrain

C13: from Old French destreindre, from Latin distringere to impede, from dis- 1 + stringere to draw tight

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012