distraint

American

[dih-streynt] / dɪˈstreɪnt /

noun

Law.

the act of distraining; a distress.

distraint British

/ dɪˈstreɪnt /

noun

law the act or process of distraining; distress

"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

Etymology

Origin of distraint

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I have now been threatened with "enforcement by distraint" as I am currently unable to pay the outstanding bill, which means they will take my car and computers.

From The Guardian • Jun. 28, 2012

Then he goes on to say that he intended to serve notice of distraint on Frau Willmers, but had found her door locked.

From The Standard Operaglass Detailed Plots of One Hundred and Fifty-one Celebrated Operas by Annesley, Charles, pseud.

But this is rather a process of distraint upon the goods of the debtor, in case of non-payment, than a case of pledge.

From Babylonian and Assyrian Laws, Contracts and Letters by Johns, C. H. W. (Claude Hermann Walter)

Father once apologised to me—that was when there was a distraint out against him, if you know what that is—because he wasn't rich.

From The Story of Louie by Onions, Oliver [pseud.]

As a legal term, the action of distraining or distraint, the right which a landlord has of seizing the personal chattels of his tenant for non-payment of rent.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023