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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

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)

All such distraint is represented as open robbery and pillage.

From A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II by Sleeman, William

Nature lets out her houses and lands on liberal terms; but resorts to distraint, if her dues be not forthcoming.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 11, No. 64, February, 1863 by Various

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