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).