distrainor
Definition
- 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.)