Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Stres, v.¹ P.p. stressit, -ed, stress'd, strest, straist. [ME and e.m.E. stres (Manning), stresced p.p. (Rolle), stressid p.p. (Wyclif), stresse (c1450); Stres n. Cf. OF estrecier, pop. L. *strictiare, f. strictus (see Stres n.).] tr.

1. To subject to hardship or harassment; to afflict, oppress. c1475 Wall. v 515.
The crukis off Forth he knawis wondyr weylle, He is on lyff, that sall our natioune feill. Quhen he is strest, than can he swym at will 1535 Stewart 4160.
In that storme so stranglie tha war straist Mony war lost and mycht no langer lest a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 26.
The queynis fore cumpany … war sarelie stressit be shot of hagbute from the regents syde 1619 Fraser Sir-Name of Baird 60.
My present estait, which … is sumwhat stressit 1674 Dingwall Kirk S. 318.
He being stressed be sea with his cousin … they both of them devoted for a pious use certain sums of monie

2. To subject to force, use aggression against (a person); to compel (a person) to (something). 1663 Peebles B. Rec. II 56.
They inhibit … all and sindrie servantes … to stres or force any of their fellow servants to that unwarrantable practicq of brothering 1690 Banff Field C. (1905-6) 112.
We vnder subscrivers … vous and protests … to stike & bide by on another & when any of vs … shall be stressed or any wayes molested by anie partie or enime whatsomever wee shall repair to thair aid

3. To subject to stress or strain. 1692 Cromartie Corr. I 86.
I am always indispos'd … with spitting of blood, some vaine is stress'd