/ dɪˈstres; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ U ]
1.
a feeling of great worry or unhappiness; great suffering :
The newspaper article caused the actor considerable distress.
She was obviously in distress after the attack.
deep emotional distress
2.
suffering and problems caused by not having enough money, food, etc.
SYN hardship :
economic / financial distress
3.
a situation in which a ship, plane, etc. is in danger or difficulty and needs help :
a distress signal (= a message asking for help)
It is a rule of the sea to help another boat in distress .
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IDIOMS
see damsel
■ verb
[ vn ] to make sb feel very worried or unhappy :
It was clear that the letter had deeply distressed her.
Don't distress yourself (= don't worry) .
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French destresce (noun), destrecier (verb), based on Latin distringere stretch apart.