distrain

verb

dis·​train di-ˈstrān 

distrained; distraining; distrains

transitive verb

1

: to force or compel to satisfy an obligation by means of a distress

2

: to seize by distress

intransitive verb

: to levy a distress

distrainable

di-ˈstrā-nə-bəl 

adjective

distrainer

di-ˈstrā-nər 

noun

or less commonly distrainor

di-ˈstrā-nər 

-ˌstrā-ˈnȯr

Word History

Etymology

Middle English distreynen, from Anglo-French destreindre, from Medieval Latin distringere, from Latin, to draw apart, detain, from dis- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Legal Definition

distrain

verb

dis·​train di-ˈstrān 

transitive verb

1

: to force or compel to satisfy an obligation by means of a distress

2

: to seize by distress compare enter

intransitive verb

: to levy a distress

distrainable adjective

distrainer

-ˈstrā-nər 

noun

or distrainor

di-ˈstrā-nər, ˌdis-trā-ˈnōr

Etymology

Anglo-French destreindre, literally, to constrict, force, from Old French, from Late Latin distringere to hinder, punish, from Latin, to pull in different directions, distract, from dis- apart + stringere to draw tight