- To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with
violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment,
or afflict. - To rend; to tear. - 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. - To subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a
person by his goods and chattels. - To levy a distress.