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DISTRAIN Definition & Legal Meaning

Definition & Citations:

To take as a pledge property of another, and keep the same until heperforms his obligation or until the property is replevied by the sheriff. It was used tosecure an appearance in court, payment of rent, performance of services, etc. 3 Bl.Comm. 231; Fitzh. Nat. Brev. 32, B, C, 223. Boyd v. Howden, 3 Daly (N. Y.) 457; Byersv. Ferguson, 41 Or. 77, OS Pac. 5.Distress is now generally resorted to for the purpose of enforcing the payment ofrent, taxes, or other duties.

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