The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002.
stress
A physical factor, such as injury, or mental state, such as anxiety, that disturbs the body’s normal state of functioning. Stress may contribute to the development of some illnesses, including heart disease and cancer.
‡ The term stress also refers to the physical and mental state produced in the body when it is influenced by such factors: “The stress of the new job was too much for Tim, so he requested reassignment to his old position in the company.”
