/doo res", dyoo-, door"is, dyoor"-/ , n.
1. compulsion by threat or force; coercion; constraint.
2. Law. such constraint or coercion as will render void a contract or other legal act entered or performed under its influence.
3. forcible restraint, esp. imprisonment.
[ 1275-1325; ME duresse duresse, -esce, -ece duritia hardness, harshness, oppression, equiv. to dur ( us ) hard + -itia -ICE ]
Syn. 1. intimidation, pressure, bullying, browbeating.