\Dis*train"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distrained}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Distraining}.] [OE. destreinen to force, OF.
destreindre to press, oppress, force, fr. L. distringere,
districtum, to draw asunder, hinder, molest, LL., to punish
severely; di- = stringere to draw tight, press together. See
{Strain}, and cf. {Distress}, {District}, {Distraint}.]
1. To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence;
   hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress,
   torment, or afflict. [Obs.] ``Distrained with chains.''
   --Chaucer.
2. To rend; to tear. [Obs.]
         Neither guile nor force might it [a net] distrain.
                                               --Spenser.
3. (Law)
   (a) 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.
   (b) To subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a
       person by his goods and chattels.

\Dis*train"\, v. i.
To levy a distress.
      Upon whom I can distrain for debt.       --Camden.