stress

STRESS, n.

1. Force; urgency; pressure; importance; that which bears with most weight; as the stress of a legal question. Consider how much stress is laid on the exercise of charity in the New Testament.

This, on which the great stress of the business depends--

2. Force or violence; as stress of weather.

3. Force; violence; strain.

Though the faculties of the mind are improved by exercise, yet they must not be put to a stress beyond their strength.

STRESS, v.t. To press; to urge; to distress; to put to difficulties. [Little used.]