What does distrain mean?
Definitions for distrain
dɪˈstreɪndis·train
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word distrain.
Princeton's WordNet
distrainverb
levy a distress on
distrainverb
confiscate by distress
distrainverb
legally take something in place of a debt payment
Wiktionary
distrainverb
To squeeze, press; to constrain, oppress.
distrainverb
To force (someone) to do something by seizing their property.
distrainverb
To seize somebody's property in place of, or to force, payment of a debt.
distrainverb
To pull off, tear apart.
Etymology: From destraindre, from distringere, from dis- + stringere.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
To DISTRAINverb
To seize; to lay hold on as an indemnification for a debt.
Etymology: from distringo, Latin.
Here’s Beauford, that regards not God nor king,
Hath here distrain’d the Tower to his use. William Shakespeare, Hen. VI.To Distrainverb
To make seizure.
The earl answered, I will not lend money to my superiour, upon whom I cannot distrain for the debt. William Camden, Remains.
Blood his rent to have regain’d,
Upon the British diadem distrain’d. Andrew Marvell.
Wikipedia
distrain
Distraint or distress is "the seizure of someone’s property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed", especially in common law countries. Distraint is the act or process "whereby a person (the distrainor), traditionally even without prior court approval, seizes the personal property of another located upon the distrainor's land in satisfaction of a claim, as a pledge for performance of a duty, or in reparation of an injury." Distraint typically involves the seizure of goods (chattels) belonging to the tenant by the landlord to sell the goods for the payment of the rent. In the past, distress was often carried out without court approval. Today, some kind of court action is usually required, the main exception being certain tax authorities – such as HM Revenue and Customs in the United Kingdom and the Internal Revenue Service in the United States – and other agencies that retain the legal power to levy assets (by either seizure or distraint) without a court order.
ChatGPT
distrain
To distrain is a legal term that refers to the act of seizing or confiscating someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed, typically carried out by a bailiff or landlord. It is used as a form of securing payment or performance of an obligation.
Webster Dictionary
Distrainverb
to press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict
Distrainverb
to rend; to tear
Distrainverb
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
Distrainverb
to subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a person by his goods and chattels
Distrainverb
to levy a distress
Etymology: [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.]
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Distrain
dis-trān′, v.t. to seize, esp. goods for debt, esp. for non-payment of rent or rates.—v.i. to seize the goods of a debtor.—adj. Distrain′able.—ns. Distrain′ment; Distrain′or, Distrain′er; Distraint′, seizure of goods. [O. Fr. destraindre—L. dis, asunder, stringĕre, to draw tight.]
Matched Categories
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of distrain in Chaldean Numerology is: 3
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of distrain in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4
References
Translations for distrain
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"distrain." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 7 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/distrain>.
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