distress/dɪˈstres/
n.1. 巨大的痛苦；悲伤；贫困；伤痛；忧伤The mother was in great distress when her baby became ill.当她的小孩子生病的时候，母亲非常苦恼。
2. 危险；困境The life-boat went out to a ship in distress.救生船去援救一艘遇险的船只。
When the captain found the ship wassinking rapidly,he orderedhis men to send out a distress signal.船长发现船在迅速下沉时就命令船员发了遇险信号。