What does "distrain" mean?
Distrain: To rend; to tear. [Obs.] Neither guile nor force might it [a net] distrain. Spenser.
Additional senses
- 2.(Law) (a) 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. (b) To subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a person by his goods and chattels.
- 3.To levy a distress. Upon whom I can distrain for debt. Camden.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00