DISTRINGAS, in Law, was a writ commanding the sheriff or other officer to distrain a person for debt to the king, &c., or for his appearance at a certain day; and it was necessary, in order to enable a plaintiff to enter an appearance for the defendant in an action, whereon to proceed to judgment and execution. This proceeding is now abolished by sect. 24th of the 15th and 16th Vict., cap. 76, and the plaintiff, upon affidavit showing efforts to serve the writ of summons, &c., may obtain an order to proceed as if personal service had been effected. The process against a body corporate is, however, still by distringas in the Court of Chancery.