pres|sure

pres|sure
pres|sure «PREHSH uhr», noun, verb, -sured, -sur|ing.
–n.
1. the continued action of a weight or force: »

The small box was flattened by the pressure of the heavy book on it. The pressure of the wind filled the sails of the boat.

2. the force per unit of area: »

There is a pressure of 20 pounds to the square inch on this tire. At s level, air exerts a pressure in all directions of about 14.7 pounds per square inch (Thomas A. Blair).

3. Figurative. a state of trouble or strain: »

the pressure of poverty, working under pressure.

4. Figurative. a compelling influence or force: »

He changed his mind under pressure from others. Pressure was brought to bear on him to do better work. Society was constantly changing under the pressure of economic necessities (Edmund Wilson).

5. Figurative. the need for prompt or decisive action; urgency: »

the pressure of business affairs.

6. = atmospheric pressure. (Cf. ↑atmospheric pressure)
7. = electromotive force. (Cf. ↑electromotive force)
8. Obsolete. an impression; image; stamp.
–v.t., v.i.
to force or urge by exerting pressure; press (for): »

The salesman tried to pressure my father into buying the car. Legislators cannot be pressured into voting for something that is unconstitutional (New York Times).

╂[< Old French pressure, learned borrowing from Latin pressūra < premere to press]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • pres|sure-cook — «PREHSH uhr KUK», transitive verb, intransitive verb. to cook in a pressure cooker: »These exotic ingredients were pressure cooked on location (Time) …   Useful english dictionary

  • pres|sure-fed — «PREHSH uhr FEHD», adjective. supplied by the force of pressure, such as that of a pump: »a pressure fed fuel system …   Useful english dictionary

  • pres|sure-sen|si|tive — «PREHSH uhr SEHN suh tihv», adjective. sealing when pressure is applied: »Pressure sensitive adhesive tape used to cover underground pipelines (Wall Street Journal) …   Useful english dictionary

  • ac|u|pres|sure — «AK yuh PREHSH uhr», noun. a method of relieving pain, diagnosing illness, etc., by applying pressure where major nerves are close to the skin. ╂[< Latin acus needle + English pressure] …   Useful english dictionary

  • com|pres|sure — «kuhm PREHSH uhr», noun. the act or process of compressing; compression …   Useful english dictionary

  • coun|ter|pres|sure — «KOWN tuhr PREHSH uhr», noun. an opposing pressure or force; counterforce …   Useful english dictionary

  • full-pres|sure lubrication — «FUL PREHSH uhr», a lubricating system for an internal combustion engine in which oil is pumped to the pistons …   Useful english dictionary

  • high-pres|sure — «HY PREHSH uhr», adjective, verb, sured, sur|ing. –adj. 1. having, using, or resisting more than the usual pressure: »a high pressure boiler. 2. having high barometric pressure: »Air generally moves from a high pressure area into a low pressure… …   Useful english dictionary

  • im|pres|sure — «ihm PRH uhr», noun. Archaic. impression …   Useful english dictionary

  • low-pres|sure — «LOH PREHSH uhr», adjective. 1. having or using less than the usual pressure. 2. having a low barometric pressure: »During the seasons in question the coastal low pressure troughs were farther west than usual (Scientific American). 3. Figurative …   Useful english dictionary

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