King James Bible Dictionary

DISTRESS, noun [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, etc.

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 21:23.

5. A state of danger; as a ship in distress from leaking, loss of spars, or want of provisions or water, etc.

DISTRESS, verb transitive

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 2:9.

We are troubled on every side, but not distressed. 2 Corinthians 4:8.

3. To compel by pain or suffering.

There are men who can neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of duty.

DISTRESSED, participle passive Suffering great pain or torture; severely afflicted; harassed; oppressed with calamity or misfortune.

DISTRESSEDNESS, noun A state of being greatly pained.

DISTRESSFUL, adjective

1. Inflicting or bringing distress; as a distressful stroke.

2. Indicating distress; proceeding from pain or anguish; as distressful cries.

3. Calamitous; as a distressful event.

4. Attended with poverty; as distressful bread.

DISTRESSING, participle present tense

1. Giving severe pain; oppressing with affliction.

2. adjective Very afflicting; affecting with severe pain; as a distressing sickness.