[dis.tress] n [ME destresse, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL districtia, fr. L districtus, pp. of distringere] (13c) 1 a: seizure and detention of the goods of another as pledge or to obtain satisfaction of a claim by the sale of the goods seized b: something that is distrained
2. a: pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind: trouble "gastric ~" b: a painful situation: misfortune
3: a state of danger or desperate need "a ship in ~" syn distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble. distress implies an external and usu. temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress "the hurricane put everyone in great distress". suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress "the suffering of famine victims". misery stresses the unhappiness attending esp. sickness, poverty, or loss "the homeless live with misery every day". agony suggests pain too intense to be borne "in agony over the death of their child".
[2]distress vt (14c) 1: to subject to great strain or difficulties
2. archaic: to force or overcome by inflicting pain
3: to cause to worry or be troubled: upset
4: to mar (as clothing or wood) deliberately to give an effect of age -- dis.tress.ing.ly adv [3]distress adj (1926) 1: offered for sale at a loss "~ merchandise"
2: involving distress goods "a ~ sale"