ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Distrain

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /dɪˈstɹeɪn/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Distrain is a verb meaning (law, transitive, obsolete) To force (someone) to do something by seizing their property.

Meaning

(law, transitive, obsolete) To force (someone) to do something by seizing their property.

(law, intransitive) To seize somebody's property in place of, or to force, payment of a debt.
(obsolete) To squeeze, press, embrace; to constrain, oppress.
(obsolete) To pull off, tear apart.

to distrain a person by his goods and chattels

But when he heard her answeres loth, he knew / Some secret sorrow did her heart distraine […]

For that same net so cunningly was wound, / That neither guile, nor force might it distraine.

Thus spake the Prince, and gently 'gan distrain / Now him, now her, between his friendly arms.

Depending on context, synonyms include distress.

Related dictionary entries include oppress, coerce, withstrain, restrain, constrict, force.

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