DISTRAIN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Distrain

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verb

Distrain v. t. (past & past part. distrained; pres. part. distraining)

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."

To rend; to tear. (Obs.) "Neither guile nor force might it (a net) distrain."

(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.

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Etymology of 'Distrain'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Distrain" Quotes from Famous Books

... Hastings' succession to the estate of Roxby. Mr Turton, who has transcribed all the documents relating to the quarrel, thinks that Sir Roger attempted to shift the death duties from himself to one of his tenants named Ralph Joyner, who refused to pay. "After an abortive attempt to recover the sum by distrain" says Mr Turton, it "resulted in an appeal to the Earl of Surrey, and Sir Roger was compelled to pay it himself." The records tell us that this Ralph Joyner was often "in Jeopardy of his liff; And how he was at diverse tymez chased by diverse of the menyall servantes ...

— The Evolution Of An English Town • Gordon Home

... seen catchpolls, the famished slaves, In act a poor man's homestead to distrain, Smashing down Christs, Madonnas, ...

— The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini • Benvenuto Cellini

Words linked to "Distrain" : impound, reclaim, impose, attach, repossess, sequester, seize, confiscate, levy