[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

distress \distress"\, n. oe. destresse, distresse, of.
   destresse, destrece, f. d'etresse, of. destrecier to
   distress, assumed ll. districtiare, fr. l. districtus, p.
   p. of distringere. see distrain, and cf. stress.
   1. extreme pain or suffering; anguish of body or mind; as, to
      suffer distress from the gout, or from the loss of
      friends.
      1913 webster

            not fearing death nor shrinking for distress.
                                                  --shak.
      1913 webster

   2. that which occasions suffering; painful situation;
      misfortune; affliction; misery.
      1913 webster

            affliction's sons are brothers in distress. --burns.
      1913 webster

   3. a state of danger or necessity; as, a ship in distress,
      from leaking, loss of spars, want of provisions or water,
      etc.
      1913 webster

   4. law
      a the act of distraining; the taking of a personal
          chattel out of the possession of a wrongdoer, by way
          of pledge for redress of an injury, or for the
          performance of a duty, as for nonpayment of rent or
          taxes, or for injury done by cattle, etc.
      b the thing taken by distraining; that which is seized
          to procure satisfaction. --bouvier. --kent. --burrill.
          1913 webster

                if he were not paid, he would straight go and
                take a distress of goods and cattle. --spenser.
          1913 webster

                the distress thus taken must be proportioned to
                the thing distrained for.         --blackstone.
          1913 webster

   abuse of distress. law see under abuse.

   syn: affliction; suffering; pain; agony; misery; torment;
        anguish; grief; sorrow; calamity; misfortune; trouble;
        adversity. see affliction.
        1913 webster
see also:
distrain stress abuse of distress abuse affliction 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

abuse \abuse"\, n. f. abus, l. abusus, fr. abuti. see abuse,
   v. t.
   1. improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad
      purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an
      abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an
      abuse of language.
      1913 webster

            liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty,
            as well as by the abuses of power.    --madison.
      1913 webster

   2. physical ill treatment; injury. "rejoice . . . at the
      abuse of falstaff." --shak.
      1913 webster

   3. a corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as,
      the abuses in the civil service.
      1913 webster

            abuse after disappeared without a struggle..
                                                  --macaulay.
      1913 webster

   4. vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive
      language; virulent condemnation; reviling.
      1913 webster

            the two parties, after exchanging a good deal of
            abuse, came to blows.                 --macaulay.
      1913 webster

   5. violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child. obs.
      1913 webster

            or is it some abuse, and no such thing? --shak.
      1913 webster

   abuse of distress law, a wrongful using of an animal or
      chattel distrained, by the distrainer.
      1913 webster

   syn: invective; contumely; reproach; scurrility; insult;
        opprobrium.

   usage: abuse, invective. abuse is generally prompted by
          anger, and vented in harsh and unseemly words. it is
          more personal and coarse than invective. abuse
          generally takes place in private quarrels; invective
          in writing or public discussions. invective may be
          conveyed in refined language and dictated by
          indignation against what is blameworthy. --c. j.
          smith.
          1913 webster
see also:
abuse abuse of distress invective 

Abuse >> A Words
Abuse, definition of term: Abuse
abuse_pag1.html

Distress >> D Words
Distress, definition of term: Distress
distress_pag1.html

Distress Signal >> D Words
Distress Signal, definition of term: Distress Signal
distress+signal_pag1.html

Substance Abuse >> S Words
Substance Abuse, definition of term: Substance Abuse
substance+abuse_pag1.html

Drug Abuse >> D Words
Drug Abuse, definition of term: Drug Abuse
drug+abuse_pag1.html

Child Abuse >> C Words
Child Abuse, definition of term: Child Abuse
child+abuse_pag1.html

Alcohol Abuse >> A Words
Alcohol Abuse, definition of term: Alcohol Abuse
alcohol+abuse_pag1.html