~ 1
■ verb
1》 move or cause to move into a position of contact with something by exerting continuous physical force.
↘exert continuous physical force on, especially in order to operate a device.
↘squeeze (someone's arm or hand) as a sign of affection.
↘move in a specified direction by pushing.
↘( ~ on/ahead ) continue in one's action.
2》 apply ~ure to (something) to flatten, shape, or smooth it, especially by ironing.
↘extract (juice or oil) by crushing or squeezing fruit, vegetables, etc.
↘manufacture by moulding under ~ure.
3》 forcefully put forward (an opinion, claim, etc.).
↘make strong efforts to persuade or force to do something.
↘( ~ something on/upon ) insist that (someone) accepts an offer or gift.
↘(of time) be short.
↘( be ~ed ) have barely enough of something, especially time.
↘( be ~ed to do something ) have difficulty doing something.
4》 Weightlifting raise (a weight) by lifting it to shoulder height and then gradually pushing it upwards.
5》 Golf try too hard to achieve distance.
■ noun
1》 a device for applying ~ure in order to flatten or shape something or to extract juice or oil.
2》 a printing ~.
↘a printing or publishing business.
3》 ( the ~ ) [treated as sing. or plural ] newspapers or journalists viewed collectively.
↘coverage in newspapers and magazines.
4》 an act of ~ing something.
↘a closely packed mass of people or things.
↘ dated ~ure of business.
↘ Basketball a form of close guarding by the defending team.
5》 a large cupboard for storing linen or clothes.
Phrases
go to ~ go to be printed.
~ ( the ) flesh informal, chiefly N. Amer. greet people by shaking hands.
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~e (n.), ~er (v.), from L. ~are 'keep ~ing', frequentative of premere .
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~ 2
■ verb
1》 ( ~ something into ) put something to a specified use, especially as a temporary or makeshift measure.
2》 historical force to enlist in the army or navy.
■ noun historical a forcible enlistment of men, especially for the navy.
Origin
C16: alt. (by assoc. with ~ 1 ) of obs. prest 'pay given on enlistment, enlistment by such payment', from OFr. prest 'loan, advance pay', based on L. praestare 'provide'.