• n. 危难，不幸；贫困；悲痛
• vt. 使悲痛；使贫困

dis-, 分开。-str, 拉，拉紧，词源同strict, stress. 即拉紧，紧张，忧虑，悲伤。

distress (n.)

late 13c., "circumstance that causes anxiety or hardship," from Old French destresse, from Vulgar Latin *districtia "restraint, affliction, narrowness, distress," from Latin districtus, past participle of distringere "draw apart, hinder," also, in Medieval Latin "compel, coerce," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + stringere "draw tight, press together" (see strain (v.)). Meaning "anguish, suffering; grief" is from c. 1300.

distress (v.)

late 14c., from Old French destresser, from Vulgar Latin *districtiare (see distress (n.)). Related: Distressed; distressing.

1. He keeps coming to the aid of this damsel in distress.

他不断出手相助这位落难女子。

来自柯林斯例句

2. Adolescent suicide is rarely an impulsive reaction to immediate distress.

青少年自杀很少是由于突然发生不幸而作出的冲动反应。

来自柯林斯例句

3. The crew did not send out any distress signals.

机组人员没有发出任何求救信号。

来自柯林斯例句

4. Cecil now began to panic and fired off two distress rockets.

塞西尔此时开始慌张起来，连忙发射了两枚遇险信号火箭。

来自柯林斯例句

5. He expressed concern that the ship might be in distress.

他担心船可能会遇险。

来自柯林斯例句