DISTRAIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does distrain mean? 

• DISTRAIN (verb)
  The verb DISTRAIN has 3 senses:

1. levy a distress on

2. confiscate by distress

3. legally take something in place of a debt payment

  Familiarity information: DISTRAIN used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISTRAIN (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they distrain    ... he / she / it distrains   
Past simple: distrained   
Past participle: distrained   
-ing form: distraining   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Levy a distress on

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "distrain" is one way to...):

impose; levy (impose and collect)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Confiscate by distress

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "distrain" is one way to...):

attach; confiscate; impound; seize; sequester (take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Legally take something in place of a debt payment

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "distrain" is one way to...):

reclaim; repossess (claim back)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP