GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions 

  1.       

    Distress , n. [OE. destresse, distresse, OF. destresse, destrece, F. détresse, OF. destrecier to distress, (assumed) LL. districtiare, fr. L. districtus, p. p. of distringere. See Distrain, and cf. Stress.]
    1. Extreme pain or suffering; anguish of body or mind; as, to suffer distress from the gout, or from the loss of friends.
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      Not fearing death nor shrinking for distress.
      Shak.

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    2. That which occasions suffering; painful situation; misfortune; affliction; misery.
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      Affliction's sons are brothers in distress.
      Burns.

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    3. A state of danger or necessity; as, a ship in distress, from leaking, loss of spars, want of provisions or water, etc.
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    4. (Law) (a) The act of distraining; the taking of a personal chattel out of the possession of a wrongdoer, by way of pledge for redress of an injury, or for the performance of a duty, as for nonpayment of rent or taxes, or for injury done by cattle, etc. (b) The thing taken by distraining; that which is seized to procure satisfaction.
      Bouvier.  Kent.  Burrill.

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      If he were not paid, he would straight go and take a distress of goods and cattle.
      Spenser.

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      The distress thus taken must be proportioned to the thing distrained for.
      Blackstone.

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      Abuse of distress. (Law) See under Abuse.
      Syn. -- Affliction; suffering; pain; agony; misery; torment; anguish; grief; sorrow; calamity; misfortune; trouble; adversity. See Affliction.
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  2.       

    Distress, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distressed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Distressing.] [Cf. OF. destrecier. See Distress, n.]
    1. To cause pain or anguish to; to pain; to oppress with calamity; to afflict; to harass; to make miserable.
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      We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed.
      2 Cor. iv. 8.

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    2. To compel by pain or suffering.
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      Men who can neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of duty.
      A. Hamilton.

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    3. (Law) To seize for debt; to distrain.
      Syn. -- To pain; grieve; harass; trouble; perplex; afflict; worry; annoy.
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