01 v. t. To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict.
imp. & p. p.
Distrained; p. pr. & vb. n.
Distraining
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1.
To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict.[Obs.]
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2.
To rend; to tear.[Obs.]“Neither guile nor force might it [a net] distrain.” — Spenser.
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3.
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.(Law)