—n.
1 a pressure or tension exerted on a material object. b a quantity measuring this.
2 a demand on physical or mental energy. b distress caused by this (suffering from stress).
3 a emphasis (the stress was on the need for success). b accentuation; emphasis laid on a syllable or word. c an accent, esp. the principal one in a word (the stress is on the first syllable).
4 Mech. force per unit area exerted between contiguous bodies or parts of a body.
—v.tr.
1 lay stress on; emphasize.
2 subject to mechanical or physical or mental stress.
Phrases and idioms:
lay stress on indicate as important. stress disease a disease resulting from continuous mental stress.
Derivatives:
stressless adj.
Etymology: ME f. DISTRESS, or partly f. OF estresse narrowness, oppression, ult. f. L strictus STRICT
Useful english dictionary. 2012.