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distrain

Syllabification: (dis·train)
Pronunciation: /disˈtrān/

Definition of distrain

verb

[with object] Law
  • seize (someone’s property) to obtain payment of rent or other money owed:legislation has restricted the right to distrain goods found on the premises
  • seize the property of (someone) to obtain payment of money owed:the government applied political pressure by distraining debtors

Derivatives

distrainer

noun

distrainment

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French destreindre, from Latin distringere 'stretch apart', from dis- 'apart' + stringere 'tighten'

distrain in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of distrain in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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