·vi To levy a distress.
II. Distrain ·vt To Rend; to Tear.
III. Distrain ·vt To subject to distress; to Coerce; as, to distrain a person by his goods and chattels.
IV. Distrain ·vt To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to Bind; to distress, torment, or afflict.
V. Distrain ·vt 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.