1.psychological suffering;
the death of his wife caused him great distress
2.a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need);
a ship in distress
3.extreme physical pain;
the patient appeared to be in distress
4.the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim;
Originally distress was a landloard's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage but now the landlord is given a landlord's lien
1.cause mental pain to;
The news of her child's illness distressed the mother