| v. t. | 1. | To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict. |
| 2. | To rend; to tear. | |
| 3. | (Law) 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; | |
| v. i. | 1. | To levy a distress. |
| Verb | 1. | distrain - levy a distress on |
| 2. | distrain - confiscate by distress | |
| 3. | distrain - legally take something in place of a debt payment |
TO DISTRAIN. To take an keep any personal chattel in custody, as a distress. (q.v.)
impose, levy