| 释义 |
dis·train
\də̇ˈstrān\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English distreynen, from Old French destreign-, destrein-, stem of destreindre to press, oppress, force, from Medieval Latin distringere to compel, distrain, from Latin, to hinder, molest, from dis- dis- (I) + stringere to draw tight, press together — more at strain
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to coerce or punish by levying a distress
(2) : to levy a distress upon in order to obtain payment of a debt by sale of the goods taken
b. : to seize as a pledge or indemnification : take possession of as security (as on nonpayment of rent or the reparation of an injury done) : take by distress
< distrain goods for rent or an amercement >
c. obsolete : to seize by force : confiscate
2. obsolete
a. : confine, constrict, bind
b. : distress, afflict, torment
3. obsolete : rend, tear
intransitive verb
: to levy a distress — often used with upon or on |