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, v.t.
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. Deu 2.
We are troubled on every side, but not distressed. 2 Cor 4.
3. To compel by pain or suffering.
There are men who can neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of duty.
