distress English · revision 10787

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1280|origins=fro destresse|origins=la districtus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈstres/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|destresse|t=constraint, affliction]] (modern détresse),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from Gallo-Romance *districtia, restraint, narrowness,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la|districtus]], past participle of [[m|la|distringere|t=to draw apart, hinder]], in Medieval Latin to compel,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|dis-|t=apart]] and [[m|la|stringere|t=to draw tight]] (see [[strain]] and [[distrain]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A circumstance causing anxiety or hardship: about 1280 in Barnhart, the late 13th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The strain of adversity, trouble or pain is from 1297,^(OED 1989) and anguish or suffering of body or mind from about 1300.^(Etymonline) In law, distress is the seizing of goods to force payment of a debt (13th century).^(Hoad 1986)^(Collins 2023) A ship ''in distress'', needing immediate help, is from 1659.^(OED 1989) The verb is probably from about 1380,^(Barnhart 1988) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) To make furniture or fabric look old by marking it is a later sense.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) ''Distressful'' is from 1591, in Shakespeare.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1280 – hardship.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1297 – adversity.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – anguish.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1380 – to distress (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1659 – a ship in distress.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Great worry, sorrow or [[pain]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Danger or difficulty needing help: ''a ship in distress''.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' The seizure of goods as security for a debt.^(Collins 2023)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To cause someone worry or suffering.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To give furniture or fabric a worn, aged look.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[distressingly]]

+ * [[distressful]]

+ * [[predistress]]

+ * [[distress merchandise]]

+ * [[distress call]]

+ * [[distress sale]]

+ * [[distress signal]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[distrain]]

+ * [[district]]

+ * [[strain]]

+ * [[stress]]

+ * [[strict]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}