Definition of Distress

Distance

DISTRESS noun

	A disease incurred by exposure to the prosperity of a friend.

		definition from: *The Devil's Dictionary* by Ambrose Bierce, 1911

Divination

Regular definition:

DISTRESS:
d?s?tres n. & v. --n. 1 severe pain, sorrow, anguish, etc. 2 the lack of money or comforts. 3 Law = DISTRAINT. 4 breathlessness; exhaustion. --v.tr. 1 subject to distress; exhaust, afflict. 2 cause anxiety to; make unhappy; vex. ødistress-signal a signal from a ship in danger. distress-warrant Law a warrant authorizing distraint. in distress 1 suffering or in danger. 2 (of a ship, aircraft, etc.) in danger or damaged. øødistressful adj. distressingly adv. [ME f. OF destresse etc., AF destresser, OF -ecier f. Gallo-Roman (as DISTRAIN)]

Last updated: 9/3/2011 12:48:30