What's the difference between distain and distrain?

Distain


Definition:

  • (v. t.) To tinge with a different color from the natural or proper one; to stain; to discolor; to sully; to tarnish; to defile; -- used chiefly in poetry.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Much has been made of millennials and our distain for the big, in favor of the small, the organic, the handcrafted, the twee, the old-time-y.

Distrain


Definition:

  • (v. t.) To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict.
  • (v. t.) To rend; to tear.
  • (v. t.) 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.
  • (v. t.) To subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a person by his goods and chattels.
  • (v. i.) To levy a distress.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Bailiffs will go in to distrain and evict, but no bailiffs knock for the missing billions "tax-planned" away at the top.