Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIS-TRESS', n. [Fr. detresse; Norm. id.; from the Celtic, W. trais, violence, treisiaw, to strain or force. See Stress.]

1. The act of distraining; the taking of any personal chattel from a wrong-doer, to answer a demand, or procure satisfaction for a wrong committed. – Blackstone.
2. The thing taken by distraining; that which is seized to procure satisfaction. A distress of household goods shall be impounded under cover. If the lessor does not find sufficient distress on the premises, &c. – Blackstone.
3. Extreme pain; anguish of body or mind; as, to suffer great distress from the gout, or from the loss of near friends.
4. Affliction; calamity; misery. On earth distress of nations. – Luke xxi.
5. A state of danger; as, a ship in distress, from leaking, loss of spars, or want of provisions or water, &c.