to press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict.-to rend; to tear.-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; as, to distrain goods for rent, or of an amercement.-to subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a person by his goods and chattels.-to levy a distress.