n. & v.
--n.
1. severe pain, sorrow, anguish, etc.
2 the lack of money or comforts.
3 Law DISTRAINT.
4 breathlessness; exhaustion.
--v.tr.
1. subject to distress; exhaust, afflict.
2 cause anxiety to; make unhappy; vex.
Phrases and idioms:
distress-signal a signal from a ship in danger. distress-warrant Law a warrant authorizing distraint. in distress
1. suffering or in danger.
2 (of a ship, aircraft, etc.) in danger or damaged.
Derivatives:
distressful adj. distressingly adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF destresse etc., AF destresser, OF -ecier f. Gallo-Roman (as DISTRAIN)