distress

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A feeling of great emotional pain, worry, or suffering.

   The death of their brother caused them great distress.

2. 2
   noun

   Severe physical pain or discomfort.

   The patient was clearly in distress and could barely breathe.

3. 3
   noun

   A state of serious danger or trouble needing urgent help.

   The coastguard rushed to help a ship in distress.

4. 4
   verb

   To make someone feel very upset or worried.

   I was distressed by the news of my grandmother's illness.

The verb is from Middle English distressen, from Old French destrecier (“to restrain, constrain, put in straits, afflict, distress”); compare French détresse. Ultimately from Medieval Latin as if *districtiō, an assumed frequentative form of Latin distringō (“to pull asunder, stretch out”), from dis- (“apart”) + stringō (“to draw tight, strain”). The noun is from Middle English distresse, from Old French destrece, ultimately also from Latin distringō.

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