1 distrain | Definition of distrain
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distrain

verb
dis·​train | \ di-ˈstrān How to pronounce distrain (audio) \
distrained; distraining; distrains

Definition of distrain

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

Other Words from distrain

distrainable \ di-​ˈstrā-​nə-​bəl How to pronounce distrainable (audio) \ adjective
distrainer \ di-​ˈstrā-​nər How to pronounce distrainer (audio) \ or less commonly distrainor \ di-​ˈstrā-​nər How to pronounce distrainor (audio) , -​ˌstrā-​ˈnȯr \ noun

First Known Use of distrain

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

History and Etymology for distrain

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

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More Definitions for distrain

distrain

verb
dis·​train | \ di-ˈstrān How to pronounce distrain (audio) \

Legal Definition of distrain

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

Other Words from distrain

distrainable adjective
distrainer \ -​ˈstrā-​nər How to pronounce distrainer (audio) \ or distrainor \ di-​ˈstrā-​nər, ˌdis-​trā-​ˈnōr \ noun

History and Etymology for distrain

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

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