DISTRESS, n. [See Stress.] 1. The act of distraining; the taking of any personal chattel from a wrong-doer, to answer a demand, or procure satisfaction for a wrong committed.2. The thing taken by distraining; that which is seized to procure satisfaction.A distress of household goods shall be impounded under cover. If the lessor does not find sufficient distress on the premises, &c.3. Extreme pain; anguish of body or mind; as, to suffer great distress from the gout, or from the loss of near friends.4. Affliction; calamity; misery.On earth distress of nations. Luke 21.5. A state of danger; as a ship in distress, from leaking, loss of spars, or want of provisions or water, &c.DISTRESS, v.t. 1. To pain; to afflict with pain or anguish; applied to the body or the mind. [Literally, to press or strain.]2. To afflict greatly; to harass; to oppress with calamity; to make miserable.Distress not the Moabites. Deuteronomy 2.We are troubled on every side, but not distressed. 2 Corinthians 4.3. To compel by pain or suffering.There are men who can neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of duty.
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