distress

/di-ˈstres/

Middle English destresse, from Anglo-French destresce, from Vulgar Latin *districtia, from Latin districtus, past participle of distringere seedistrain

noun

  1. seizure and detention of the goods of another as pledge or to obtain satisfaction of a claim by the sale of the goods seized

  2. something that is distrained

  3. pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind : trouble

distress suffering misery agony mean the state of being in great trouble. distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

verb

  1. to subject to great strain or difficulties

  2. to force or overcome by inflicting pain

  3. to cause to worry or be troubled : upset

homes distressed by poverty

adjective

  1. offered for sale at a loss

  2. involving distress goods

distress merchandise