distress
transitive verb
- to cause sorrow, misery, or suffering to; pain
- to cause discomfort to; trouble
- to exhaust or weaken with strain of any sort
- Archaic to constrain (to do something)
- Law to distrain
noun
- the state of being distressed; pain, suffering, discomfort, etc.
- anything that distresses; affliction
- a state of danger or trouble; bad straits
- Law
- distraint
- the property distrained
See distress in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(dĭ-strĕsˈ)
transitive verb dis·tressed,
dis·tress·ing,
dis·tress·es - To cause strain, anxiety, or suffering to. See Synonyms at trouble.
- Law To hold the property of (a person) against the payment of debts.
- To mar or otherwise treat (an object or fabric, for example) to give the appearance of an antique or of heavy prior use: “There are the fakes—new rugs which have been intentionally distressed for an older look” (Hatfield MA Valley Advocate).
- Archaic To constrain or overcome by harassment.
noun- Anxiety or mental suffering.
a. Severe strain resulting from exhaustion or an accident.
b. Acute physical discomfort.
c. Physical deterioration, as of a highway, caused by hard use over time: pavement distress.
- The condition of being in need of immediate assistance: a motorist in distress.
- Law
a. The act of distraining or seizing to compel payment.
b. The goods thus seized.
Related Forms:
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