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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Stres, n. Also: stress(e, straisse, straith. [ME and e.m.E. stres, stresse (both Manning), aphetic form of distress Distres n. Cf. OF estrece narrowness, straitness, oppression, pop. L. *strictia, f. L. strictus.]

1. The overwhelming pressure of some oppressive force. a. Of the elements: Chiefly, stres of wedder(is) (once, stouris, = storms). b. Of death.a. (1) ?14.. Ship Laws c. 7 (B).
Stres of wedrys cummys to thaim on seis ?14.. Ship Laws c. 9 (H2).
Giff … a maistir of a schip on neid mon hew his mast throu stres of weddir 1640 Pittenweem Ann. 43.
He being put be stress of wether to Skarbrugh … wes thair … deteinit the space of ane month 1643 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII 25. — c1590 J. Stewart 62/185.
Lyk ane rock firm situat in the sie Sustening stres of stormie stouris hie(2) 1637 Aberd. Council Lett. II 75.
Seing the tymber work [sc. of Fyvie bridge] quhairwith passengers were served of befor hes bene so subject to straith I now intend … to caus erect a stone briggeb. 1513 Doug. x xii 140.
Tho Orodes the hard rest doith oppres, The cauld and irny slepe of dethys stres

c. An instance of stormy weather; a storm, gale. Also fig. 16.. Admir. Ct. Form 64.
Everie merchand beares the hazard off his own leckage but if they [sc. casks] be staved and casten in ane stresse ther will be ane proportionable contribution c1650-1700 Descr. Zetland 31.
When it blows a stress at W. or N.W. … the air or bank is all covered over with the seafig. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I 217.
But God be thanked that Christ in his children can endure a stress and a storm howbeit soft nature would fall down in pieces

2. A legal distraint or seizure of property, in order to enforce payment of debts or rents, or to enable another tenant to take possession. 1443 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 268.
We [sc. sheriff deputes] … findand na guidis … to mak the payment … gert our mairis set a str[es] upon the landis [etc.] 1615 Aboyne Rec. 230.
[He did not obtain peaceable possession of these lands, for William Maling, the Bishops officer, had to lay a] by stress [on the lands of Midstrath, and removed … the other inhabitants]

b. A chattel or item of property seized to defray debts, or taken from a house by an official as a token that the tenant must vacate the property. Also (once) const. of (the item).Cf. Distres n. 2, 3. 1491 Paisley B. Rec. 40.
The wrangwis spoliatioun and takin fra thaim of certane poyndis and stressis fra the officiaris of the said burgh of Ranfrew 1543 Prot. Bk. J. Cristisone 82.
[Each of their houses ejected a] stres [in token of removal] 1543 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 549, 550.
Alexander Gavan officiarius … accessit ad tenementa … et ibidem de singulis domibus … eiecit vnum ly stres in signum remotionis Magistri Johannis Dauidsone … a dicta tenentia … Magister Johannes … prefata ly stressis in singulis domibus interposuit [= replaced] 1554 Prot. Bk. Gilbert Grote 2.
Villiam Hall, officiar, kaist furtht the stres, ij stulis, furtht of the houssis 1555 Acts II 494/1.
The samin precept of warning [to flit] to be … affixit vpone the maist patent dure of the Kirk xl dayis befoir the terme and na forther laying furth of stressis and remowing 1573 Prot. Bk. G. Fyiff 3.
James Falconar … renuncit & frelie ourgaif be ane stres his haill rycht tytle … and entres … to the tak and rowme of the thridparts of Balhaggardie 1631 Misc. Spald. C. II 227.
Wee find that in the table of the vnprinted acts of the fourtene parliament, thair is mentioun maid of ane act, tuitcheing the taking of stresses by the constable — 1582 Prot. Bk. J. Robertsone 19.
His guidis geir and tak … quhilkis he has deliuerit to thame … be ane penny and stres of gyrs as vse is

c. An exaction of goods or money, as a tax. 1676 Lauder Notices Affairs I 118.
I find by the 60 and 61 Acts of the Parliament 1456 complaints ware given in against the constables of castles as a greevance, in exacting stresses of the subjects that came to the fairs with their creams [Acts takande distressis of thare gudis of litill quantite]

d. Surety, pledge. 1521 Dundee B. Ct. I 26a (23 April).
Jhon Watt wif has confessit vij s. awand to Charle Baxter & has gevyn hir stres to pay the sammyn within lauchfull day

3. Hardship, adversity, affliction, or an instance of this.(1) c1460 Thewis Gud Women 252.
Syk neid and stres haldis madenys in That thai are pynd with pouertee a1500 Sir Eger 193.
But what through blood, and proper stres, My mights waxed les and les a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1612.
Behald thi maker & thy king, Quhilk his seruandis wisseis into stres ?a1500 Remembr. Passion 29.
O Lord Jesu, … Teche me to refer my stres to you, and thinkand on thy stres tak myn in pacience 1533 Boece 510.
Quhen in maist stres he was constitute he avowit to found ane kirk 1535 Stewart 14005.
Galdus in all his grittest stres 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 469.
O Lord … help the pure that ar in stres Opprest and hereit mercyles 1565 Cal. Sc. P. II 241.
[The Earl of Rothes] quhais present stres dois perse my verray hart 1567 G. Ball. 121.
Wesche me againe, and from Thy horne deliuer me in stres a1568 Montg. in Bann. MS I p. 51/1.
The Lord most he I knaw wilbe Ane hird to me I can not lang haif stres nor stand in neid 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. 21b.
God help the puir that ar in stres That may not wirk and wantis riches(b) 1573-1600 King Cat. in Cath. Tr. 213/24.
To be sorie for our nychtbours prosperitie, and glaid of thair straisse(2) 1513 Doug. xii xiii 48.
Sustenand thus al maner of myscheif, and euery stres, baith lesum and onleif a1578 Pitsc. II 122/27.
Thay war vonder sorie and at ane gret stres and eschaiped with thair lywes, narrowlie

b. Bodily suffering, injury. 1533 Bell. Livy I 57/19.
This Horiciane happynnyt … to be haill, but ony stres or hurte of body 1596 Dalr. II 11/25.
King R. because of his age, mekle calde, mekle incommoditie, sair trauel and stres in the weiris … departes this lyfe

c. A physical or emotional shock; a trauma.In the Cleland quot., apparently referring to the action of being hanged. a1689 Cleland 114/1.
Corrupters have ground to suspect Corrupted persons and their neck Is very fair to bide a stresse When they have done their business 1709 Wemyss Kirk S. 14 Aug.
Bernard Walker [fisher in Buckhaven said] it was very well known she [sc. his wife] had got a stress which made her bring forth her child before the time