stress
Definitions
Mental or emotional tension from demanding circumstances.
（精神）压力，紧张。
Physical pressure or force exerted on an object.
（物理）应力，压力。
Special emphasis placed on a word or syllable; importance given to something.
重音；强调。
To emphasize; to give special importance to.
强调，着重。
To cause mental tension; (often "stress out") to feel anxious.
使紧张焦虑；（stress out）感到压力大。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedstress came through Old French from Latin strictia, "tightness, narrowness" — the feeling of being squeezed in. One image, several senses: mental stress (the mind pulled too tight), physical stress (force squeezing a material), and to stress a word (pressing extra weight onto it).
Root strain still carries 57 more wordsWhy It Means This
All three senses trace back to the same squeeze. The modern "mental pressure" meaning is actually fairly recent — it was popularized in the 20th century by physiologist Hans Selye, who borrowed the engineering term (force on a material) to describe what demanding circumstances do to a body and mind. The old "tightness" is still doing the work underneath.
Common Collocations
- 1.under stress承受压力
- 2.stress relief减压
- 3.work stress工作压力
Example Sentences
- 1.
She's been under a lot of stress at work lately.
- 2.
The bridge is designed to handle enormous stress.
- 3.
I must stress how important this deadline is.
- 4.
Don't stress about it — we'll sort it out.