distraint

[ dih-streynt ]

noun

, Law.

1. the act of distraining; a distress.

distraint

/ dɪˈstreɪnt /

noun

1. law the act or process of distraining; distress

Word History and Origins

Origin of distraint¹

1720–30; distrain + -t, modeled on constraint, restraint

Example Sentences

If a man has not corn or money upon a man and levies a distraint, for every single distraint he shall pay one-third of a mina.

From Project Gutenberg

If a man has taken an ox on distraint, he shall pay one-third of a mina of silver.

From Project Gutenberg

At Michaelmas, 1817, the Duke of Somerset had made a distraint for rent.

From Project Gutenberg

An unwarranted seizure for debt was fined, as was the distraint of a working ox.

From Project Gutenberg

The Bible forbids the distraint of a widow's goods; Simon restricted the reference to cases of poor widows.

From Project Gutenberg