ETYM Old Eng. destresse, distresse, Old Fren. destresse, destrece, French détresse, Old Fren. destrecier to distress, (assumed) Late Lat. districtiare, from Latin districtus, p. p. of distringere. Related to Distrain, Stress.
(Irregular plural: distresses).
1. A strong feeling of anxiety; SYN. worry, trouble.
2. Psychological suffering; SYN. hurt, suffering.
3. The seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim; SYN. distraint. + prikaži više

Something that causes or entails suffering.

ETYM Old Eng. miserie, Latin miseria, from miser wretched: cf. French misčre, Old Fren. also, miserie.
1. A feeling of intense unhappiness.
2. A state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune; SYN. wretchedness.

ETYM Old Eng. necessite, French nécessité, Latin necessitas, from necesse. Related to Necessary.
1. Anything indispensable; SYN. essential, requirement, requisite, necessary.
2. The condition of being essential or indispensable.
In economics, good or service whose consumption is seen as essential in order to maintain a minimum standard of living in a society; for example, food and shelter. + prikaži više

ETYM Old Eng. need, neod, nede, as. neád, nyd; akin to Dutch nood, German not, noth, Icel. nauthr, Swed. and Dan. nöd, Goth. naups.
(Homonym: knead).
1. A condition requiring relief; SYN. demand.
2. Anything that is necessary but lacking; SYN. want.

Made necessary by sudden occurrence demanding immediate remedy.

1. A state in which martial law applies.
2. A sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action; SYN. exigency, pinch.