distrain

Từ điển American Heritage Dictionary 4th

dis·train (dĭ-strānʹ)v. Law dis·trained, dis·train·ing, dis·trainsv. tr.
1. To seize and hold (property) to compel payment or reparation, as of debts.
2. To seize the property of (a person) in order to compel payment of debts; distress.v. intr.
To levy a distress. [Middle English distreinen, from Old French destreindre, destreign-, from Medieval Latin distringere, distrinct-, from Latin, to hinder : dis-, apart; see dis- + stringere, to draw tight; See streig- in Indo-European Roots.] dis·trainʹa·ble adj.dis·trainʹment n.dis·traiʹnor or dis·trainʹer n.