distrain

  1. Verb.  (obsolete) To squeeze, press; to constrain, oppress.
  2. Verb.  (legal, transitive) To force (someone) to do something by seizing their property.
  3. Verb.  (legal, intransitive) To seize somebody's property in place of, or to force, payment of a debt.
  4. Verb.  (obsolete) To pull off, tear apart.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.