Distrainment

/dɪˈstreɪnmənt/ noun

Definition

The act or process of distraining; the legal seizure of property as security or payment for a debt.

Etymology

From distrain plus the noun suffix -ment (the act or result of), creating an abstract noun for the seizure process itself.

Kelly Says

Distrainment was so common in old property law that it got its own legal term—it represents the formalized power of seizure that governed landlord-tenant relationships.

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