distressn.
/dɪˈstrɛs/ I. Generally: senses relating to the exertion of pressure or strain.† 1. † b. The overpowering pressure of some adverse force, as anger, hunger, bad weather; stress (of weather, etc.). Obsolete.
a. The action or fact of straining or pressing tightly, strain, stress, pressure; figurative pressure employed to produce action, constraint, compulsion; less usually, pressure applied to prevent action, restraint. Obsolete except in dialect (in which the primary sense is still used).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > pressing, pressure, or squeezing > [noun]
distressc1384
press?1440
presseragec1450
thresting1481
thringing1483
thrust1513
squass1528
pressionc1540
squizing1565
pressure1601
squeezing1611
squishing1647
contrusiona1691
coercion1830
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > [noun]
needeOE
distressc1384
force1387
stressc1390
artingc1400
coactionc1400
constrainauncec1400
compulsion1462
enforcement1477
coercion1495
forcement1524
enforcing1531
strain1532
constraint1533
coercement1592
constrainment1593
duress1596
compulse1616
obligement1641
cogency1702
coercive control1827
steamrolling1879
compression1880
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame iii. 497 This Eolus with harde grace helde the wyndes in distresse And gan hem vnder him to presse.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 28360 And i, prest, funden vte of distresse, In dedly sin has sungen messe.
a1400 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 361 He sheweþ wiþoute dystresse, weiþer he be of fraunchyse oþer ne be, and be of towne.
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 79 Swathe a tender vyne in bondes softe: Ffor bonde to hardde wol holde it in distresse.
c1450 Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) II. 52 God I take to wittnes That I doe this by destresse.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde ii. xxii. 114 The ayer that is shette fast within, the whiche is enclosed in grete distresse.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A7v In wastfull wildernesse..by which no liuing wight May euer passe, but thorough great distresse.
1876 G. L. Gower Surrey Provincialisms (English Dialect Society no.12. Series C: Original glossaries) Distress, strain; e.g. ‘Slacken they there ropes before you go, and then there won't be no distress on the [rick-]cloth’.
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Distress, strain; stress; application of force. ‘Theer wunna be no distress on that theer 'edge tin [= till] after 'arvest.’]
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > oppression, persecution, or affliction > overpowering pressure of an adverse force
stressc1400
distress1485
thrust1513
straint1534
heft1587
pinchc1594
rack1806
pend1823
water stress1991
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. i.viij/1 By destresse of angre he took a staffe for to smyte the messager.
1486 Bk. St. Albans C j b In grete destresse of hungre.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 87 Driuen by distresse of weather about the partes of Austria.
1588 R. Greene Pandosto sig. F4 As I was sailing, by distresse of weather I was driuen into these coasts.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) Contents 10 Driven westward, by distress of weather.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) Contents 12 Without any distress of weather, the Buss got loose.
2.
a. The sore pressure or strain of adversity, trouble, sickness, pain, or sorrow; anguish or affliction affecting the body, spirit, or community.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > [noun]
sorec888
teeneOE
sorrowOE
workOE
wrakeOE
careOE
gramec1000
harmOE
howc1000
trayOE
woweOE
angec1175
derfnessc1175
sytec1175
unwinc1175
wosithc1200
ail?c1225
barrat?c1225
derf?c1225
grief?c1225
misease?c1225
misliking?c1225
ofthinkingc1225
passion?c1225
troublec1230
pinec1275
distress1297
grievancea1300
penancea1300
cumbermentc1300
languorc1300
cumbering1303
were1303
angera1325
strifea1325
sweama1325
woea1325
painc1330
tribulationc1330
illa1340
threst1340
constraintc1374
troublenessc1380
afflictiona1382
bruisinga1382
miseasetya1382
pressurec1384
exercisec1386
miscomfortc1390
mislikea1400
smarta1400
thronga1400
balec1400
painfulnessc1400
troublancec1400
smartness?c1425
painliness1435
perplexity?a1439
penalty?1462
calamity1490
penality1496
cumber?a1513
sussy1513
tribule1513
afflict?1529
vexation of spirit1535
troublesomeness1561
hoe1567
grievedness1571
tribulance1575
languishment1576
thrall1578
tine1590
languorment1593
aggrievedness1594
obturbation1623
afflictedness1646
erumny1657
pathos1684
shock1705
dree1791
vex1815
wrungnessa1875
dukkha1886
thinkache1892
sufferation1976
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 460 Þe kyng, þat so defended hym, as in such destresse.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 3472 Þan were þey boþe in hard destres.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Cleopatra. 664 To egipt is sche fled for dred & for destresse.
c1400 Rom. Rose 4997 Peyne and Distresse, Syknesse and Ire, and Malencoly..Ben of hir paleys senatours.
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xx. 65 Ye knoweth my comforteles dystresse.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Kings i. 29 As the Lord liueth, that hath redeemed my soule out of all distresse . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vii. 91 Art thou thus bolden'd man by thy distres ? View more context for this quotation
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) i. 2 Being in great distress of Conscience.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 613 With sorrow and hearts distress Wearied I fell asleep. View more context for this quotation
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. viii. 627 The Company's finances, always in distress.
1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Sketches (1873) II. ii. iii. 252 This event..filled him with the utmost distress and despondency.
1867 C. Dickens Let. 21 Jan. (1999) XI. 301 There is great distress here among the poor.
b. with a and plural. A sore trouble, a misfortune or calamity that presses hardly; esp. in plural straits, distressing or strained circumstances.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > circumstance or occurrence
plightc1300
woea1325
fanda1400
afflictionc1429
assayc1430
brier?1504
trouble?1521
distress1549
smarts1552
say?1572
infliction1590
disaccommodation1645
trial1754
ordeal1807
time1809
kill-cow1825
Via Crucis1844
Via Dolorosa1844
racket1877
pisser1957
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Rom. viii. f. xxv That in all our distresses we may boldly speake vnto God.
1588 (title) The copie of a letter sent out of England to Don Bernardin Mendoza.. Whereunto are adioyned certaine late aduertisements, concerning the losses and distresses happened to the Spanish nauie.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 189.
1656 B. Harris in tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age Contin. 277 So many stormes, that both men, and horses felt excessive distresses.
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses II. 53 His distresses made him stoop so low as to be an Abcdarian.
1783 E. Burke Speech Fox's E. India Bill in Wks. (1815) IV. 129 Want of feeling for the distresses of mankind.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Dora in Poems (new ed.) II. 35 Then distresses came on him.
c. Nautical. ‘A term used when a ship requires immediate assistance from unlooked-for damage or danger’ (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.).
ΚΠ
1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 291 Firing of Guns, which is commonly a signal of that ships distress that fires.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xiv. 394 Any Ship in distress may be refreshed and recruited here.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World x. 311 I return'd to our ship again, and made signals of distress.
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 156 They fired four Guns as Signals of Distress.
1841 H. W. Longfellow Wreck of Hesperus in Boston Bk. (ed. 3) 75 Some ship in distress, that cannot live In such an angry sea!
d. ‘Distressed’ or exhausted condition under extreme physical strain. (Also figurative.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [noun]
wearinessc900
slemea1300
werihede1340
talma1400
aneantizinga1425
faintnessa1440
defatigation1508
languishness?1529
lassitude1541
tiredness1552
overtiring1598
attainta1616
languishmentc1620
exhaustment1621
prostrationa1626
exhaustiona1639
tiresomeness1646
lassation1650
exantlation1651
fessitude1656
faintingnessa1661
delassation1692
tiriness1697
languor1707
fatigue1719
exhausture1779
distress1803
exhaustedness1840
worn-outness1844
tire1859
dead-beatness1907
1803 Sporting Mag. 22 21/2 Fifth Round... Firby began to exhibit symptoms of distress.
1836 Spirit of Times 27 Feb. 13/2 She showed some symptoms of distress and the backers of the field thought there was still a chance.
1861 T. A. Trollope La Beata I. 162 The lady arrives at the top [of the stairs] with very visible signs of ‘distress’ in wind and limb.
1887 H. D. Traill in Macmillan's Mag. July 177/1 Their patience, which is already showing manifest signs of distress, will be completely ‘pumped’ before long.
II. Law.
3. † c. The right or power of distraining, the seigniory of a district. Obsolete. rare.
a. The action of distraining; the legal seizure and detention of a chattel, originally for the purpose of thereby constraining the owner to pay money owed by him or to make satisfaction for some wrong done by him, or to do some other act (e.g. to appear in court); according to later practice, in order that out of the proceeds of its sale (if not redeemed within a fixed period) satisfaction may be obtained of some debt or claim, now, especially, for rent unpaid.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > legal seizure or recovery of property > [noun] > seizing lands or goods > attachment of person or property for debt > seizure of goods
naamlOE
distressc1290
distrainingc1380
stress1443
attachmenta1450
poinding1462
distraina1500
strain1526
distressing1599
excussion1622
multiplepoinding1642
namation1706
distraint1730
distrainment1756
c1290 Beket 761 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 128 On me nast þu power non swych destresse for-to do.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 186 And neuer þorgh no distresse suld clayme þer of no right.
1543 tr. Act 51 Hen. iii. (1266) De Destrictione Scaccarii (Berthelet) And if he brynge the tayle of any shyriffe or baylyffe, of payment made to them of the thyng demaunded..then the distresse shal sease.
1613 H. Finch Law (1636) 135 Distresse is a taking of chattels..found upon the same land..for satisfaction of arerages.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. iii. xi. §6. 137 The Phocians not meaning so to loose their Rent, made a distresse by strong hand.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 6 A distress..the taking of a personal chattel out of the possession of the wrongdoer into the custody of the party injured, to procure a satisfaction for the wrong committed.
1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams I. vi. 123 The squire..took the earliest opportunity of seizing upon his remaining property in the mode of a distress for rent.
1804 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. III. 330 A right to enter on the lands, and to seize the cattle and other personal chattels found there, and sell them for the payment of the rent, which is called a distress.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 53 I put in a good many distresses in my time (continued Mr. Bung).
1875 H. J. S. Maine Lect. Early Hist. Inst. ix. 250 The branch of the law which we now call the Law of Distress.
b. double distress, grand distress, finite distress, infinite distress, personal distress, real distress: see quots.
ΚΠ
1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 125 Distresse..is divided first into finite and infinite, finite is that which is limited by Law, how often it shall bee made to bring the party to tryall of the action, as once or twice. Distresse infinite is without limitation untill the party comes, as against a Jurie that refuseth to appeare upon certificate of assise.
1670 T. Blount Νομο-λεξικον: Law-dict. Distress Personal is made by distreining a Mans movable Goods..Distress Real is made upon immovable Goods..A Grand Distress is that which is made of all the Goods and Chattels that the party hath within the County.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 231 A distress..that has no bounds with regard to it's quantity, and may be repeated from time to time, until the stubbornness of the party is conquered, is called a distress infinite.
1861 G. Ross W. Bell's Dict. Law Scotl. (rev. ed.) at Double Distress Where arrestments have been used by two or more creditors, in order to attach the funds of their debtor in the hands of a third party, such arrestments constitute what is called double distress.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > territorial jurisdiction or areas subject to > jurisdiction or territory of specific rulers or nobles > [noun] > of feudal lord
seigniory1338
signoryc1515
district1611
lordship marcher1613
commot1628
commanderya1641
ligialty1651
distressa1658
seigneury1683
commendatory1762
1292 Britton vi. iv. §12 Si celi garraunt ne soit mie en la destresce le viscounte de cel pays. tr. If the warrant is not situated within the distress (= district) of the sheriff of that country.]
a1658 J. Cleveland Rustick Rampant in Wks. (1687) 459 The other Growtnolls of the Neighbourhood, subject to the Distress, or Seigniory of Saint Albans.
4. † b. Scots Law: see quots. Obsolete.
a. The chattel or chattels seized by this process.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > legal seizure or recovery of property > [noun] > seizing lands or goods > attachment of person or property for debt > seizure of goods > an article seized for debt
distress1411
stress1418
dead poind1676
1292 Britton i. xxviii. §2 Pur qe bestes et autres destresces ne soint mie trop loungement detenues enparkez.]
1411 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 20 Takynge a distresse in defawte of payment.
1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII c. 11 If..no distresse sufficient there can be founde.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 128 It was agreed..that the distresses taken for the same should be restored, and if any were perished by keping, then the Abbot to make them good.
1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 124 Distresse is the thing which is taken and distrained upon any land for rent behinde, or other duty, or for hurt done.
1700 J. Tyrrell Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 1109 Neither the Beasts nor any other Distress..shall be sold..within fifteen days.
1886 Redman & Lyon Law Landlord & T. (ed. 3) 238 The Landlord acquires no property in the distress, and it is an abuse of his power if he use the distress, except in the case of milch cows, which may be milked.
ΚΠ
1456 Sc. Acts Jas. II c. 9 Item of gret stalls..of ye quhilke yai haif use to tak ye distress for the continuacione of ye fare The quhilk distresses air to be deliueryt agane at the court of ye fayr gif ye persone has done na defalt nor distrubling in ye fayr.
1710 Summary View of Feudal Law (at cited word) Distresses were pledges taken by the Sheriff from those who came to Fairs for their good behaviour; which at the end of the Fair or Mercat were delivered back, if no harm was done.
Compounds
C1. General attributive. (In sense 2c.)
distress bazaar n.
ΚΠ
1826 S. Smith Mem. (1855) II. 272 We hear nothing here but of distress bazaars and the high price of hay.
distress call n.
ΚΠ
1913 Year-bk. Wireless Telegr. & Teleph. 319 Accumulators, enabling the ship to issue distress calls.
1970 Times 9 Dec. 1/1 (headline) Sea search after distress call.
distress flare n.
ΚΠ
1891 Pall Mall Gaz. 13 Oct. 4/3 The boat was launched one hour after the vessel showed distress flares.
distress light n.
ΚΠ
1885 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 818/1 Inextinguishable distress-lights.
distress message n.
ΚΠ
1921 Discovery Apr. 92/2 A distress message is preceded by a signal consisting of three dots, three dashes, and three dots sent as one sign, and repeated at short intervals. This is usually alluded to as the S.O.S. signal.
distress signal n.
ΚΠ
1873 Porcupine 6 Sept. 361/1 It is necessary for all craft to carry a gun for use in making distress signals.
distress signalling n.
ΚΠ
1913 Year-bk. Wireless Telegr. & Teleph. 318 Distress Signalling.
C2.
distress committee n. a committee set up to help people in distressed circumstances.
ΚΠ
1905 Daily Chron. 21 Sept. 1/7 The establishment of distress committees.
distress-gun n. signals of a ship in distress.
ΚΠ
1823 in J. Baillie Coll. of Poems 199 The drear distress-gun moaning.
distress-rocket n.
ΚΠ
1868 J. R. Lowell Dryden in Prose Wks. (1890) III. 139 Distress-rockets sent up at intervals from a ship just about to founder.
distress-sale n. a sale of distrained goods.
ΚΠ
1883 Pall Mall Gaz. 5 Apr. 10/1 This meeting desires to call public attention to the exaction of extraordinary tithes by the distress sale effected this day.
distress-warrant n. a warrant authorizing a distress.
ΚΠ
1888 Union Signal (Chicago) 5 Apr. The number of distress and dispossessory warrants issued.
distress work n. work provided for people in distress.
ΚΠ
1905 Daily Chron. 13 Nov. 4/4 The distress work is not provided except in emergencies.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
distressv.
/dɪˈstrɛs/ 1.
a. transitive. To subject to severe strain or pressure (physical, financial, or other); to put to sore straits, to embarrass; now esp. to afflict or exhaust, as painful exertion which puts a severe strain upon the physical powers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict
overharryeOE
aileOE
swencheOE
besetOE
traya1000
teenOE
to work (also do) (a person) woeOE
derve?c1225
grieve1297
harrya1300
noyc1300
travailc1300
to work (also do) annoyc1300
wrath14..
aggrievea1325
annoya1325
tribula1325
to hold wakenc1330
anguish1340
distrainc1374
wrap1380
strain1382
ermec1386
afflicta1393
cumbera1400
assayc1400
distressc1400
temptc1400
encumber1413
labour1437
infortune?a1439
stressa1450
trouble1489
arraya1500
constraina1500
attempt1525
misease1530
exercise1531
to hold or keep waking1533
try1539
to wring to the worse1542
pinch1548
affligec1550
trounce1551
oppress1555
inflict1566
overharl1570
strait1579
to make a martyr of1599
straiten1611
tribulatea1637
to put through the hoop(s)1919
snooter1923
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 880 Þay þrobled & þrong & þrwe vmbe his erez, & distresed hym wonder strayt with strenkþe in the prece.
1483 Cath. Angl. 102/1 To Distresse; vbi to Stresse [To Stresse, distringere].
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 522/2 I distresse, I put a thynge to an utter profe to trye whether it wyll holde, or endure, or not, je destraigns.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Giiiv/1 To Distresse, distrahere.
1578 T. Proctor Gorgious Gallery sig. Oivv Distrest with woodlike rage, the words he out abrade.
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 30 Seeing his souldiors distressed for water, he commanded them to lande and refresh themselves.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. iv. 8 Wee are troubled on euery side, yet not distressed [1881 R. V. straitened] . View more context for this quotation
1661 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mech. (1682) ii. iii. 38 Being sufficiently distressed by Avocations of several sorts.
1714 J. Swift Some Free Thoughts upon Present State Affairs (1741) 13 [The ministry] have been frequently deserted or distressed upon the most pressing Occasions.
1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. III. 228 The..servants of the crown..distressed their private fortunes to gratify their sovereign.
1791 ‘G. Gambado’ Ann. Horsemanship xii. 49 But Looby [sc. a racehorse] being distrest by the severity of this, and the first heat, was forc'd to submit to his adversary..by half a neck.
1825 M. M. Sherwood Old Times i. (Houlston Tracts I. No. 24. 10) Does he not often distress himself in order to pay a good round sum to have him properly instructed?
1868 C. Dickens Let. 15 Jan. (2002) XII. 15 The railway journeys distress me greatly.
1886 Times 5 Apr. 7/2 Several of the oarsmen were fearfully distressed.
b. transferred and figurative.
ΚΠ
1721 J. Perry Acct. Stopping Daggenham Breach 7 Sullage..carry'd out without the Mouth of the Thames..there subsides..and distresses the Entrance into the Port.
1721 J. Perry Acct. Stopping Daggenham Breach 20 The..Inconveniences which distress that Port.
1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams I. iv. 66 Your pastoral ditties..distressed in search of a meaning.
a. To crush in battle, overwhelm, coerce. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > victory > make victorious [verb (transitive)] > conquer or overcome
overcomeeOE
shendc893
awinc1000
overwinOE
overheaveOE
to lay downa1225
mate?c1225
discomfitc1230
win1297
dauntc1300
cumber1303
scomfit1303
fenkc1320
to bear downc1330
confoundc1330
confusec1330
to do, put arrear1330
oversetc1330
vanquishc1330
conquerc1374
overthrowc1375
oppressc1380
outfighta1382
to put downa1382
discomfortc1384
threshc1384
vencuea1400
depressc1400
venque?1402
ding?a1425
cumrayc1425
to put to (also at, unto) the (also one's) worsec1425
to bring or put to (or unto) utterance1430
distrussc1430
supprisec1440
ascomfita1450
to do stress?c1450
victorya1470
to make (win) a conquest1477
convanquish1483
conquest1485
defeat1485
oversailc1485
conques1488
discomfish1488
fulyie1488
distress1489
overpress1489
cravent1490
utter?1533
to give (a person) the overthrow1536
debel1542
convince1548
foil1548
out-war1548
profligate1548
proflige?c1550
expugnate1568
expugn1570
victor1576
dismay1596
damnify1598
triumph1605
convict1607
overman1609
thrash1609
beat1611
debellate1611
import1624
to cut to (or in) pieces1632
maitrise1636
worst1636
forcea1641
outfight1650
outgeneral1767
to cut up1803
smash1813
slosh1890
ream1918
hammer1948
1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes i. viii. 21 Men ynoughe for to dystresse bothe hym and his grete oost.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. lxxix. f. xxxi They than manfully issued out, & gaue to ye Frenschmen harde batayll, but fortune was to theim frowarde, so that they were distressyd.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. lxxi. f. xxvi [He] was purposed to haue frayed with the sayd Maximus and to haue distressed hym.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 1308 At the length the rebels were distressed, taken and executed.
a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1688) vi. 259 But he passing the River, quickly distressed and routed them.
b. To harass or put to straits in war. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 245 The Duke of Savoy..on the other side distressing Genoa with an Armie.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 29. ⁋3 Taking her as we do Towns and Castles, by distressing the Place.
1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies I. xii. 137 The Portugueze large Cannon from their Walls disturbed and distrest his Camp.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 290 Anson, with a squadron of ships..distressed the Spanish settlements on the western shore of America.
3. To constrain by force or infliction of suffering (to do a thing, into, out of something).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > cause mental pain or suffering to [verb (transitive)]
heavyc897
pineeOE
aileOE
sorryeOE
traya1000
sorrowOE
to work (also do) (a person) woeOE
angerc1175
smarta1200
to work, bake, brew balec1200
derve?c1225
grieve?c1225
sitc1225
sweam?c1225
gnawc1230
sughc1230
troublec1230
aggrievea1325
to think sweama1325
unframea1325
anguish1340
teen1340
sowa1352
distrainc1374
to-troublea1382
strain1382
unglad1390
afflicta1393
paina1393
distressa1400
hita1400
sorea1400
assayc1400
remordc1400
temptc1400
to sit (or set) one sorec1420
overthrow?a1425
visit1424
labour1437
passionc1470
arraya1500
constraina1500
misgrievea1500
attempt1525
exagitate1532
to wring to the worse1542
toil1549
lament1580
adolorate1598
rankle1659
try1702
to pass over ——1790
upset1805
to touch (also get, catch, etc.) (a person) on the raw1823
to put (a person) through it1855
bludgeon1888
to get to ——1904
to put through the hoop(s)1919
society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to do something
holdc1275
piltc1275
constraina1340
strength1340
distrainc1374
compelc1380
makec1395
distressa1400
stressa1400
art?1406
putc1450
coerce1475
cohert1475
enforce1509
perforce1509
forcec1540
violent?1551
press1600
necessitate1601
rack1602
restrain1621
reduce1622
oblige1632
necessiate1709
a1400–50 Alexander 2781 I am depely distryssyd þis dede for to wirke.
1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies I. ii. 18 They could have easily distressed the Boats Crews out of the Woods.
1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Seventh Pref. p. v Yet is it an Error into which Bad Men may naturally be distressed.
1788 A. Hamilton in A. Hamilton et al. Federalist II. lxxiii. 262 There are men who could neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of duty.
1829 W. Irving Chron. Conq. Granada I. vi. 53 Muley Aben Hassan..attempted to distress it [the city] into terms, by turning the channel of the river which runs by its walls.
4. To cause pain, suffering, agony, or anxiety to; to afflict, vex, make miserable. Now chiefly reflexive or passive: cf. distressed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > misery > render miserable [verb (transitive)]
discomforta1398
wretcha1513
desolate1530
disconsolate1530
distress1586
unhappy1597
uncomfort1637
infelicitate1654
1586 [implied in: G. Pettie & B. Yong tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (rev. ed.) iv. f. 219 Bitter teares, which copiouslie..fell from my distressed eies. (at distressed adj. a)].
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. i. 26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Ionathan, very pleasant hast thou beene vnto me. View more context for this quotation
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper i. 77 We must not vexe ourselves..nor distresse ourselves with bootlesse problemes.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero II. ix. 336 To..take all measures of distressing him.
1800 E. Hervey Mourtray Family III. 205 ‘Why’..said she, weeping..‘why distress me thus?’
1884 Forbes in Eng. Ill. Mag. Jan. 235 The Emperor had asked where he was without a satisfactory answer, whereat honest Bazaine was sore distressed.
1896 N.E.D. at Distress Mod. The tone of your letter greatly distresses me. Do not distress yourself about the child, he is safe.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > rob [verb (transitive)]
reaveeOE
benima1325
berob1340
pelfa1400
distress1490
derob1546
heave1567
shrive1630
strubc1680
spung1719
to do over1785
strong-arm1896
make1926
heist1930
to take off1937
hit1955
to knock off1960
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) iv. 116 He was..dystressed of suche vytaylles as he hadde.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) iv. 116 All they..that bare ony vytaylles, they were dystressed by theym [tous ceulx q' portoient viures estoient destroussey].
1546 in State Papers Henry VIII (1852) XI. 17 Our men distressed almost all their victualles.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 373 [He] set vpon them, and distressed them and their shippes, and so brought them into dyuerse Portes.
6. To levy a distress upon, subject to a distress-warrant; = distrain v. 7.Quot. c1450 may be in sense 1: in the later quots. the verb seems to be a derivivative of the noun.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > legal seizure or recovery of property > [verb (transitive)] > seize for debt > seize debtor's goods
pound1398
poindc1430
stress?c1430
pind1437
distressc1450
strain1455
strain1503
distrain1530
fence1570
excuss1726
naam1895
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 28 Alle þo lay-men þat..ony swych clerk arestyn, or dystressin, or enprisoun wrongfully.
1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 78 The distres (or gudes poynded) sall remaine in the possession of the complainer, vntil it be discussed, quhither he is lawfullie or vnlawfullie distressed.
1707 J. Johnson Clergy-man's Vade Mecum (ed. 2) 248 Quakers, who are liable to be distress'd.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 21 I will not begin at this time of day to distress my tenants, because they are unfortunate, and cannot make regular payments.
1823 Blackwood's Mag. 703 His generous chief distresses him to the very blankets on his bed.
7. To damage (a piece of furniture, painting, etc.) deliberately, so as to make it appear older and often to render it more valuable as an ‘antique’; hence, to introduce the effect of wear or age on to (a new material, etc.), esp. for a fashion garment. Cf. distressed adj. d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)] > damage deliberately or vandalize
demolish1646
to knock abouta1817
vandalize1845
distress1943
trash1970
key1987
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > forgery, falsification > forge, falsify [verb (transitive)] > material things
counterfeitc1386
marshalc1450
falsify1601
water1646
to quack titles1715
distress1943
1943 H. Read Politics of Unpolitical iv. 55 In extreme cases he must ‘distress’ the piece—that is to say, employ a man to throw bolts and nails at the chair until it has been knocked about enough to look ‘antique’.
1971 Times 8 Apr. 5/3 The forger..can..take a new piece of wood and ‘distress’ it by burning, warping and drilling ‘worm holes’ in it.
1981 Times 29 Apr. 16/3 Most of his paintings have gilded backgrounds, which he ‘distresses’, or burnishes, producing a slightly worn appearance.
1986 Sunday Express Mag. 12 Oct. 51/1 Fireplaces..are treated like pieces of furniture and distressed, stippled, hand-marbled and fussed with.
Derivatives
diˈstressing n.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > invasion > [noun] > overrunning or harrying
harryingc900
yerning1340
overrunning?a1425
distressing1599
scouringa1616
sweep1837
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > legal seizure or recovery of property > [noun] > seizing lands or goods > attachment of person or property for debt > seizure of goods
naamlOE
distressc1290
distrainingc1380
stress1443
attachmenta1450
poinding1462
distraina1500
strain1526
distressing1599
excussion1622
multiplepoinding1642
namation1706
distraint1730
distrainment1756
1599 J. Minsheu Percyvall's Dict. Spanish & Eng. A distressing, aprietamiento.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 28 He put to sea an huge fleet..for the distressing of the sea townes.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island iii. xix. 33 So when a tyrant raves, his subjects pressing, His gaining is their losse, his treasure their distressing.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.c1290
v.a1400