noun

1. strain or straining force; specif.,
   1. force exerted upon a body, that tends to strain or deform its shape
   2. the intensity of such force, usually measured in pounds per square inch
   3. the opposing reaction or cohesiveness of a body resisting such force
2. emphasis; importance; significance
3. 1. mental or emotional tension or strain characterized by feelings of anxiety, fear, etc.
   2. a factor or combination of factors that causes such tension or strain, as an urgent need or perceived threat
   3. Psychol. a condition typically characterized by symptoms of mental and physical tension or strain, as depression or hypertension, that can result from a reaction to a situation in which a person feels threatened, pressured, etc.
4. Music accent (senses & )
5. Phonet.
   1. the relative force or loudness with which a syllable is uttered
   2. an accented syllable
6. Prosody
   1. the relative force of utterance given a syllable or word according to the meter
   2. an accented syllable

Etymology: ME stresse < OFr estresse < VL *strictia < L strictus, strict; also, in some senses, aphetic < distress

transitive verb

1. 1. to put stress, pressure, or strain on
   2. Informal to subject to mental or emotional stress
2. to give stress or accent to
3. to emphasize

Etymology: OFr estrecer < VL *strictiare