du·ress

[doo-res, dyoo-, door-is, dyoor-]
noun
1.
compulsion by threat or force; coercion; constraint.
2.
Law. such constraint or coercion as will render void a contract or other legal act entered or performed under its influence.
3.
forcible restraint, especially imprisonment.

Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English duresse < Middle French duresse, -esce, -ece < Latin dūritia hardness, harshness, oppression, equivalent to dūr(us) hard + -itia -ice


1. intimidation, pressure, bullying, browbeating.
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Duress is always a great word to know.
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a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
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World English Dictionary
duress (djʊˈrɛs, djʊə-) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  compulsion by use of force or threat; constraint; coercion (often in the phrase under duress)
2.  law the illegal exercise of coercion
3.  confinement; imprisonment
 
[C14: from Old French duresse, from Latin dūritia hardness, from dūrus hard]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

duress
c.1320, "harsh or severe treatment," from O.Fr. duresse, from L. duritia "hardness," from durus "hard" (see endure). Sense of "forcible restraint" is from c.1430; that of "coercion" is from 1596.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
But it is clear that some are doing so only under duress.
The pressure and duress he was under was no longer worth it.
The allegation, he claimed, had been made under duress.
Now he said he is forced under duress.
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