DISTRAIN

distrain. Distrain, v.t. to seize, to seize goods for debt

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Dis‐train″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distrained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Distraining.] [[OE. destreinen to force, OF. destreindre to press, oppress, force, fr. L. distringere, districtum, to draw asunder, hinder, molest, LL., to punish severely; di- = stringere to draw tight, press together. See Strain, and cf. Distress, District, Distraint.]] 1. 1. To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict. “Distrained with chains.” Chaucer.
2. 2. To rend; to tear.
Neither guile nor force might it distrain. Spenser. 3. 3. (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.