This word is acceptable for play in the US & UK dictionaries that are being used in the following games:

• Lexulous
• Wordscraper
• Wordosaur

v. To seize and hold (property) to compel payment or reparation, as of debts.

v. To seize the property of (a person) in order to compel payment of debts; distress.

verb-intransitive. To levy a distress.

v. To squeeze, press; to constrain, oppress.

v. To force (someone) to do something by seizing their property.

v. To seize somebody's property in place of, or to force, payment of a debt.

v. To pull off, tear apart.

v. To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict.

v. To rend; to tear.

v.

v. To seize, as a pledge or indemnification; to take possession of as security for nonpayment of rent, the reparation of an injury done, etc.; to take by distress.

v. To subject to distress; to coerce.

verb-intransitive. To levy a distress.

To pull or tear asunder; rend apart.

To press with force; bear with force upon; constrain; compel.

To restrain; bind; confine.

To distress; torment; afflict.

To gain or take possession of; seize; secure.

In law: To take and withhold (another's chattel), in order to apply it in satisfaction of the distrainor's demand against him, or to hold it until he renders satisfaction.

To seize and hold in satisfaction of a demand or claim, or in order to compel the performance of an obligation; seize under judicial process or authority: said of any movable property, or of goods and chattels. See distringas and distress.

To make seizure of goods in satisfaction of a claim, or in order to compel the performance of an obligation.

v. legally take something in place of a debt payment

v. levy a distress on

v. confiscate by distress

"John Upton the Annuity of Forty Shillings out of my said Farme during his life (if till then my Servant) to be paid on Michaelmas day in Lindley each year or else after fourteen days to distrain"

distrained    distraining    distrains   

repossess    reclaim    impose    Levy    sequester    impound    seize    attach    confiscate   

distrainee    distrainable    distraint    distrainment    distrainor    distrainer   

rend    tear    coerce    distress   

distraint    quarry-man    woe-stricken    dispair    where-ever    aromatization    distensibility    swarth    nutritionists    grief-worn