GRAND Distress (distressio magna), in English Law, a writ of distress, so called on account of its extent, which reaches to all the goods and chattels of the party within the county. The writ lies in two cases: either when the tenant or defendant is attached and appears not, but makes default; or where the tenant or defendant hath once appeared, and after makes default. On such occasions, this writ lies by common law, in lieu of a petit cape.