stress
1. stress \'stres\ n [ME stresse stress, distress, fr. destresse - more at
DISTRESS] 1: constraining force or influence : as 1a: mutual force or
action between contiguous surfaces of bodies caused by external force (as
tension or shear); specif : the intensity of this mutual force commonly
expressed in pounds per square inch 1b: a physical, chemical, or emotional
factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease
causation 1c: a state resulting from a stress; esp : one of bodily or
mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent
equilibrium 2: EMPHASIS, WEIGHT {lay ~ on a point} archaic 3: intense
effort or exertion 4: intensity of utterance given to a speech sound,
syllable, or word produc ing relative loudness 5a: relative force or
prominence of sound in verse 5b: a syllable having relative force or
prominence 6: ACCENT, ACCENT
2. stress vt 1: to subject to phonetic stress : ACCENT 2: to subject to
physical stress 3: to lay stress on : EMPHASIZE