Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

distrain

/di-ˈstrān/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables
dis-train
IPA
/di-ˈstrān/
9
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

Obsolete

verb

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

Obsolete; Transitive verb

verb

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

Intransitive verb

verb

To pull off, tear apart.

Obsolete

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English distreynen, from Old French destraindre, from Latin distringō (“to pull asunder”), from dis- (“apart”) + stringō (“to draw tight, strain”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: distreynen, destraindre, distringō

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /di-ˈstrān/
  • British English: /dɪˈstɹeɪn/

Usage

Inflected Forms

distrains (present, singular) distraining (participle, present) distrained (participle, past) distrained (past)

Derived Forms

distrainable distrainee distrainer distrainment distrainor distraint undistrained

Synonyms

distress

Rhymes With

again main pain campaign train brain explain remain gain plane rain chain

Questions

How do you pronounce distrain?
The recorded pronunciation is /di-ˈstrān/.
What does distrain mean?
To squeeze, press, embrace; to constrain, oppress.
Where does distrain come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce distrain

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “distrain”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/di-ˈstrān/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “distrain”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “distrain” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.