n.
   - pressure or tension exerted on a material object. ▸Physics  the magnitude of this measured in units of force per unit area. 
- a state of mental, emotional, or other strain.
- particular emphasis. ▸emphasis given to a syllable or word in speech. 
v.
  - emphasize. ▸give emphasis to (a syllable or word) when pronouncing it. 
- subject to stress.
Derivative
  
    - stressless adj.
- stressor n.
 
  Etymology
  ME (denoting pressure exerted on a person for the purpose of compulsion): shortening of distress, or partly from OFr. estresse ‘narrowness, oppression’, based on L. strictus (see strict).