dis·tress
(dĭ-strĕś)
[Middle English distressen, from Old French destresser, from destresse, constraint, from Vulgar Latin* districtia, from Latin districtus past participle of distringere, to hinder; see distrain.]
transitive verb: -tressed, -tress·ing, -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.
- Severe strain resulting from exhaustion or an accident.
- Acute physical discomfort.
- 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
- The act of distraining or seizing to compel payment.
- The goods thus seized.
derivatives
- dis·tresśing·ly
- adverb
