As a verb distrain
is to squeeze, press, embrace; to constrain, oppress.
As an adjective distrait is
absent-minded, troubled, distracted.
distrain
English
Verb
(
en verb)
(label) To squeeze, press, embrace; to constrain, oppress.
*, VII:
*:But when he heard her answeres loth, he knew / Some secret sorrow did her heart distraine .
* 1600 , (Edward Fairfax), The (Jerusalem Delivered) of (w), XII, xii:
*:Thus spake the Prince, and gently 'gan distrain / Now him, now her, between his friendly arms.
To force (someone) to do something by seizing their property.
To seize somebody's property in place of, or to force, payment of a debt.
:
(label) To pull off, tear apart.
*, II.xii:
*:For that same net so cunningly was wound, / That neither guile, nor force might it distraine .
Synonyms
* distress
Derived terms
* distrainable
* distrainee
* distrainer
* distrainment
* distrainor
* distraint
External links
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distrait
English
Adjective
(
en adjective)
absent-minded, troubled, distracted
Quotations
* 1908 : (Arthur Conan Doyle), The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge (Norton 2005, page 1238)
*: I noticed that after my host had read it he seemed even more distrait and strange than before.
* 1919, (Ronald Firbank), (Valmouth) , Duckworth, hardback edition, page 50
*: Seated upon the fallen hornbeam, Mrs Thoroughfare was regarding distraitly the sky.
* 1996 : John Le Carré, The Tailor of Panama'' (Knopf 1996, hardback edition, page 221) "Forgive me for being a fraction ''distrait'' today. We're ''trying to prevent another war."
Anagrams
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