stress (strĕs)

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[Middle English stresse, hardship, partly from destresse (from Old French; see distress), and partly from Old French estrece, narrowness, oppression (from Vulgar Latin* strictia) (from Latin strictus past participle of stringere, to draw tight; see strait).]

noun 

1. Importance, significance, or emphasis placed on something. See synonyms at emphasis
2. Linguistics
   1. The relative force with which a sound or syllable is spoken.
   2. The emphasis placed on the sound or syllable spoken most forcefully in a word or phrase.
3. 1. The relative force of sound or emphasis given a syllable or word in accordance with a metrical pattern.
   2. A syllable having strong relative emphasis in a metrical pattern.
4. Accent or a mark representing such emphasis or force.
5. Physics
   1. An applied force or system of forces that tends to strain or deform a body.
   2. The internal resistance of a body to such an applied force or system of forces.
6. 1. A mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences and capable of affecting physical health, usually characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability, and depression.
   2. A stimulus or circumstance causing such a condition.
7. A state of extreme difficulty, pressure, or strain: “He presided over the economy during the period of its greatest stress and danger” (Robert J. Samuelson)

transitive verb: stressed, stress·ing, stress·es. 

1. To place emphasis on: stressed basic fire safety.
2. To give prominence to (a syllable or word) in pronouncing or in accordance with a metrical pattern.
3. To subject to physical or mental pressure, tension, or strain.
4. To subject to mechanical pressure or force.
5. To construct so as to withstand a specified stress.

phrasal verbs

stress out

To subject to or undergo extreme stress, as from working too much.

STRESS (strĕs)

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[str(uctural) e(ngineering) s(ystems) s(olver).]

noun 

A computer language designed for use in solving structural analysis problems in civil engineering.