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distress

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The definition of distress is suffering or pain, or a state of being in trouble.

(noun)

A feeling of great sadness and despair is an example of distress.
When a ship has sprung a leak and is sinking, this is an example of when the ship is in distress.

Distress is defined as causing someone to feel anxious or depressed, or to finish a piece of furniture in a way that makes it look old or worn.

(verb)

An example of distress is when you tell someone bad news and cause him to feel sad.
An example of distress is when you paint a dresser and you bang it up with a hammer to make it look old.

See distress in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

Origin: ME distressen < OFr destrecier, orig., to constrain (to do something) < destrece, constraint < ML destrescia < L districtus, pp. of distringere: see distrain

noun

the state of being distressed; pain, suffering, discomfort, etc.
anything that distresses; affliction
a state of danger or trouble; bad straits
Law
1. distraint
2. the property distrained

Related Forms:

distressing adjective
distressingly adverb

See distress in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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.