noun. The act or process of distraining; distress.

noun. In law, the act of distraining; a distress.

noun. The act or proceeding of seizing personal property by distress.

noun. The legal right of a landlord to seize the property of a tenant in the event of nonpayment of rent

noun. the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim

"To weigh the alternatives in this balance alone is the work of a moment: and there are all the more moments left for the life of princely expenditure, of inexhaustible revenue, without tax or toil, overdraft, usury or distraint, which is lived in the secret kingdom behind the eyelids."

distrain  distrainable  

seizure  

amercement  captiuitie  chain gang  depositor  dethronement