World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesDistress
/dɪˈstres/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
"The sudden loss of her job caused her immense emotional distress." - 2
A state of danger or desperate need, typically requiring immediate assistance.
"The ship sent out an emergency radio signal while in distress."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Old French destrece, meaning 'narrowness' or 'oppression', which itself stems from the Late Latin districtiare, meaning 'to draw tight' or 'to compel'. Historically evolving from physical constraint and hardship, the term broadened by the late Middle English period to encompass severe mental suffering, anguish, and physical peril.
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10 Global Lexicons: How "Distress" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
détresse
Transliteration: detres
"Les marins en détresse ont appelé les secours."
Not
Transliteration: not
"Der Bergsteiger geriet in große Not."
angoscia
Transliteration: angoscia
"Provò una grande angoscia per la notizia."
angustia
Transliteration: angustia
"El pasajero mostró signos de gran angustia."
aflição
Transliteration: afliçao
"Ela tentou esconder sua aflição dos outros."
कष्ट
Transliteration: kasht
"उसकी आँखों में गहरा कष्ट साफ़ झलक रहा था।"
痛苦
Transliteration: tòng kǔ
"这场灾难给村民们带来了巨大的痛苦。"
고통
Transliteration: gotong
"그는 마음의 고통을 이겨내려고 노력했다."
苦悩
Transliteration: kunō
"彼女は深い苦悩の中に沈んでいた。"
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