■ noun
1》 pressure or tension exerted on a material object.
↘ Physics the magnitude of this measured in units of force per unit area.
2》 a state of mental, emotional, or other strain.
3》 particular emphasis.
↘emphasis given to a syllable or word in speech.
■ verb
1》 emphasize.
↘give emphasis to (a syllable or word) when pronouncing it.
2》 subject to ~.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~or noun
Origin
ME (denoting pressure exerted on a person for the purpose of compulsion): shortening of di~ , or partly from OFr. e~e 'narrowness, oppression', based on L. strictus (see strict ).