Distress - Definition

n 1: psychological suffering; "the death of his wife caused him
great distress" [syn: distress, hurt, suffering]
2: a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need); "a ship
in distress"; "she was the classic maiden in distress"
3: extreme physical pain; "the patient appeared to be in
distress"
4: the seizure and holding of property as security for payment
of a debt or satisfaction of a claim; "Originally distress
was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or
property damage but now the landlord is given a landlord's
lien" [syn: distress, distraint]
v 1: bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial
hardship [syn: straiten, distress]
2: cause mental pain to; "The news of her child's illness
distressed the mother"