distraint

[ dih-streynt ]

noun

, Law.

1. the act of distraining; a distress.

distraint

/ dɪˈstreɪnt /

noun

1. law the act or process of distraining; distress

Word History and Origins

Origin of distraint¹

1720–30; distrain + -t, modeled on constraint, restraint

Example Sentences

I have now been threatened with "enforcement by distraint" as I am currently unable to pay the outstanding bill, which means they will take my car and computers.

From The Guardian

He is now threatened with distraint for poor rates, church rates, and land-tax.

From Project Gutenberg

Father once apologised to me—that was when there was a distraint out against him, if you know what that is—because he wasn't rich.

From Project Gutenberg

The refusal to pay tithes and other ecclesiastical demands led to continuous and heavy distraints, under the various laws made in that behalf.

From Project Gutenberg

The householders who refused to pay were summoned before the local bench; and it was Harriet Martineau whom the justices selected to be distrained upon; but events marched rapidly, and the distraint was not made.

From Project Gutenberg