dɪsˈtres 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. ødistress-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. øødistressful adj. distressingly adv. [ME f. OF destresse
etc., AF destresser, OF -ecier f. Gallo-Roman (as DISTRAIN)]