stress
A physical, chemical, infective agent aggressing an organism.
Noun 4 meanings
A physical, chemical, infective agent aggressing an organism.
Aggression toward an organism resulting in a response in an attempt to restore previous conditions.
The internal distribution of force across a small boundary per unit area of that boundary (pressure) within a body. It causes strain or deformation and is typically symbolised by σ or τ.
Force externally applied to a body which cause internal stress within the body.
Verb 4 meanings
To apply force to (a body or structure) causing strain.
To apply emotional pressure to (a person or animal).
To suffer stress; to worry or be agitated.
To emphasise (a syllable of a word).
““Emphasis” is stressed on the first syllable, but “emphatic” is stressed on the second.”
Etymology
From a shortening of Middle English destresse, borrowed from Old French destrecier, from Latin distringō (“to stretch out”). This form probably coalesced with Middle English stresse, from Old French estrece (“narrowness”), from Vulgar Latin *strictia, from Latin strictus (“narrow”).
Similar and opposite words
STRESS at a glance
STRESS has 6 letters and scores 6 points in Scrabble (S 1 + T 1 + R 1 + E 1 + S 1 + S 1) and 6 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,875 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with stress
All rhymesOne letter away
- STRASS6
- STREWS9
- STREPS8
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