释义 |
pres·sure I. \ˈpreshə(r)\ noun (-s) Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English, from Late Latin pressura, from Latin, action of pressing, pressure, from pressus (past participle of premere to press) + -ura -ure; in other senses, from Latin pressura — more at press 1. a. : the burden of physical or mental distress : the oppression of adversity, grief, illness, or trouble b. : the constraint of circumstance : the weight of social or economic imposition < the pressure of poverty > < financial pressure > c. : the operation of a factor urging toward commitment or decision < the pressure of community disapproval > 2. : the application of force to something by something else in direct contact with it : compression, pushing, squeezing < felt the quick pressure of her companion's hand > 3. archaic : a mark impressed on something : image, stamp < from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records … all forms, all pressures past that youth and observation copied there — Shakespeare > 4. a. : the action of a force against some opposing force : a force in the nature of a thrust distributed over a surface b. : the force or thrust exerted over a surface divided by the area of the surface c. : electromotive force 5. : the stress or urgency of matters demanding attention : exaction, exigency, obligation < the pressure of affairs > < the pressure of a family's necessities > 6. : a factor that tends to reduce a wild animal population; especially : any such factor arising from human activity < hunting pressure > < population pressures > 7. : atmospheric pressure 8. : a touch sensation aroused by moderate compression of the skin — distinguished from contact and pain Synonyms: see stress II. transitive verb (pressured ; pressured ; pressuring \-sh(ə)riŋ\ ; pressures) 1. : to apply pressure to : bring influence to bear on : constrain < several advertisers … have pressured business papers — C.B.Larrabee > 2. : to increase or intensify pressure in : pressurize < pressurized cabins are pressured at about 5000 feet — G.A.Smathers > 3. : to cook in a pressure cooker < a box of beef or mutton bones, pressured until the marrow is extracted, makes excellent broth — All-Pets Magazine > |