District

[L. Lat. districtus, districtio, from distringere, to distrain; L. Fr. destresse, from destreindre, to distrain.] In old law. A circuit or territory within which the power of distraining, or other coercive authority might be exercised. See Districtio, Districtus. In modem law. A portion of territory, (as of a state, county, city or town,) defined by law, within which a certain jurisdiction or authority may be exercised; a civil division of a state or country for judicial or other purposes; any limited extent of territory. By successive extensions of meaning this word has gradually lost its original and peculiar signification, and is now constantly used in ordinary language to denote ang extent of territory for ang purpose. Its oridnal import is sufficiently pointed out by Its etymology; in further illustration of which it may be observed, that the terms district and distress appear to have been at one time used in English law to denote the same thing; the former being formed from the Latin, (districtus,) the latter from the French (d$9tr€S9e) form of the word. Thus it is said in Britton, ** if the vouchee be not within the distress [bailiwick] of the sheriff," <kc., (si celuy garaunt ne wit en la destresse le viseonte, <&c.) Britt. c.

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