Definition: pressure
pressure
n 1: the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in
pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit); "the
compressed gas exerts an increased pressure" [syn: pressure
level, force per unit area]
2: a force that compels; "the public brought pressure to bear
on the government"
3: the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure; "he gave the
button a press"; "he used pressure to stop the bleeding";
"at the pressing of a button" [syn: press, pressing]
4: the state of urgently demanding notice or attention; "the
press of business matters" [syn: imperativeness, insistence,
insistency, press]
5: the somatic sensation of pressure; "the sensitivity of his
skin to pressure and temperature was normal" [syn: pressure
sensation]
v 1: to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical,
moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a
job in the city" [syn: coerce, hale, force]
2: exert pressure on someone through threats [syn: blackmail,
blackjack]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Pressure \Pres"sure\, n. Electro-motive force.
Pressure \Pres"sure\ (?; 138), n. [OF., fr. L. pressura, fr. premere. See 4th Press.] 1. The act of pressing, or the condition of being pressed; compression; a squeezing; a crushing; as, a pressure of the hand. 2. A contrasting force or impulse of any kind; as, the pressure of poverty; the pressure of taxes; the pressure of motives on the mind; the pressure of civilization. Where the pressure of danger was not felt. --Macaulay. 3. Affliction; distress; grievance. My people's pressures are grievous. --Eikon Basilike. In the midst of his great troubles and pressures. --Atterbury. 4. Urgency; as, the pressure of business. 5. Impression; stamp; character impressed. All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past. --Shak. 6. (Mech.) The action of a force against some obstacle or opposing force; a force in the nature of a thrust, distributed over a surface, often estimated with reference to the upon a unit's area. Atmospheric pressure, Center of pressure, etc. See under Atmospheric, Center, etc. Back pressure (Steam engine), pressure which resists the motion of the piston, as the pressure of exhaust steam which does not find free outlet. Fluid pressure, pressure like that exerted by a fluid. It is a thrust which is normal and equally intense in all directions around a point. --Rankine. Pressure gauge, a gauge for indicating fluid pressure; a manometer.
