Reference | Webster's Dictionary | D | Distinction to Distress

D — Distinction to Distress (Part 7 of 7)

Syn. — Affliction; suffering; pain; agony; misery; torment; anguish; grief; sorrow; calamity; misfortune; trouble; adversity. See Affliction.

Distress
(Dis*tress"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distressed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Distressing.] [Cf. OF. destrecier. See Distress, n.]

1. To cause pain or anguish to; to pain; to oppress with calamity; to afflict; to harass; to make miserable.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed.

2 Cor. iv. 8.

2. To compel by pain or suffering.

Men who can neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of duty.

A. Hamilton.

3. (Law) To seize for debt; to distrain.

Syn. — To pain; grieve; harass; trouble; perplex; afflict; worry; annoy.