Definition

1. Verb:
   • To seize and hold property as security for or in payment of a debt or other obligation, especially by legal authority: This is the primary legal meaning, referring to the act of taking possession of someone's goods or property to compel payment or performance of a duty.
   • To levy a distress: This is a specific legal procedure where a landlord or other authorized person seizes a tenant's goods to enforce payment of rent or other charges.

Usage

• Verb (Transitive): The action is performed on an object (the property).
  • The landlord had the right to distrain the tenant's furniture for unpaid rent.
• Verb (Intransitive): Used with "upon" to indicate the property seized.
  • The creditor could distrain upon the debtor's assets.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The court authorized the bailiff to distrain the company's equipment.
  • If the taxes are not paid, the government may distrain the property.

Advanced Usage

• "To distrain for": To seize property as a means of enforcing a specific claim.
  • The law allowed the lord to distrain for services owed by his vassal.
• "Distrained goods": The property that has been seized.
  • The distrained goods were held in a warehouse pending the auction.

Variants and Related Words

• Distrainor / Distrainer (noun): The person or entity that seizes the property.
  • The distrainor must follow strict legal procedures.
• Distrainee (noun): The person whose property is seized.
  • The distrainee has the right to challenge the seizure in court.
• Distraint (noun): The act or instance of distraining; the legal seizure of property.
  • The distraint of the goods was carried out by the sheriff.

Synonyms

• Seize: To take hold of suddenly or forcibly.
• Confiscate: To take or seize (someone's property) with authority.
• Impound: To seize and take legal custody of (something, such as a vehicle or document).
• Levy a distress: The formal legal phrase for the act of distraining.

Antonyms

• Return: To give back.
• Release: To set free from confinement or obligation.

Related Phrases (Legal Context)

• "Writ of distringas": A legal writ commanding a sheriff to distrain.
• "Right of distress": The legal right to seize goods as a pledge for performance of a duty, especially for rent arrears.

Verb

1. legally take something in place of a debt payment
2. confiscate by distress
3. levy a distress on