Do you speak a little Latin when you say 'distrain'?

'Distrain' is a word borrowed from Latin 'distringere'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

distrain [verb] [14th century]

• to force or compel to satisfy an obligation by means of a
• to seize by distress
• to levy a distress

Meaning: to force or compel to satisfy an obligation by means of a distress; to seize by distress; to levy a distress.

Etymology: Middle English distreynen; from Anglo-French destreindre; from Medieval Latin distringere; from Latin; to draw apart; detain; from dis- + stringere to bind tight strain.

Topics: Law:Government.

Origin: From Latin to English.

See 'distrain' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Latin.

See more loan words from 1300s.