DISTRESS, n. See Stress.
1. The act of distraining the taking of any personal chattel from a wrong-doer, to answer a demand, or procure satisfaction for a wrong committed.
2. The thing taken by distraining that which is seized to procure satisfaction.
A distress of household goods shall be impounded under cover. If the lessor does not find sufficient distress on the premises, &c.
3. Extreme pain anguish of body or mind as, to suffer great distress from the gout, or from the loss of near friends.
4. Affliction calamity misery.
On earth distress of nations. Luke 21 .
5. A state of danger as a ship in distress, from leaking, loss of spars, or want of provisions or water, &c.
DISTRESS,
1. To pain to afflict with pain or anguish applied to the body or the mind. Literally, to press or strain.
2. To afflict greatly to harass to oppress with calamity to make miserable.
Distress not the Moabites. Deuteronomy 2 .
We are troubled on every side, but not distressed. 2 Corinthians 4 .
3. To compel by pain or suffering.
There are men who can neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of duty.
The King James Bible has stood its ground for nearly 400 years. However, during that time the English language has changed, and with it the meanings of some words it used. Here are more than 6,500 words whose definitions have changed since 1611.Wikipedia
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