distraint

2 definitions found

distraint - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Distraint \Dis*traint"\, n. [OF. destrainte distress, force.]
     (Law)
     The act or proceeding of seizing personal property by
     distress. --Abbott.
     [1913 Webster]

distraint - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  distraint
      n 1: the seizure and holding of property as security for payment
           of a debt or satisfaction of a claim; "Originally distress
           was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents
           or property damage but now the landlord is given a
           landlord's lien" [syn: distress, distraint]