Definition

1. Noun:
   • Legal term: A "distrainor" is a person who seizes personal property (chattels) as a legal remedy to compel payment of a debt or performance of an obligation, typically under the right of distraint.

Usage Examples

• (The person legally took items to force payment.)
• (The person exercising distraint must act lawfully.)

Advanced Usage

• "Act as a distrainor": to exercise the right of distraint.

  • The landlord acted as a distrainor when the tenant defaulted. (The landlord legally seized property to recover arrears.)

• "Liability of the distrainor": legal responsibility for improper seizure.

  • If the distrainor takes excessive property, he may be sued for damages. (The person who distrains can be held accountable for overreach.)

Variants and Related Words

• Distraint (n): the act of seizing property to enforce payment.

  • Distraint is a common remedy in commercial leases. (The legal process of seizure.)

• Distrain (v): to take property by legal authority.

  • The bailiff may distrain goods for unpaid taxes. (To seize property under legal power.)

Synonyms

• Seizer: one who takes possession by force or law.
• Bailiff: an officer who executes writs and seizures.
• Creditor in possession: a lender who takes control of assets.

Related Idioms

• "To distrain upon": to seize property under a writ.
  • The court allowed him to distrain upon the debtor's livestock. (To legally take animals as payment.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Distrain upon: to legally seize property from someone.
  • The sheriff will distrain upon the company's equipment for back taxes. (The officer will take machinery by legal right.)