Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Duress
Du′ress
,Noun.
1.
Hardship; constraint; pressure; imprisonment; restraint of liberty.
The agreements . . . made with the landlords during the time of slavery, are only the effect of
duress
and force. Burke.
2.
(Law)
The state of compulsion or necessity in which a person is influenced, whether by the unlawful restrain of his liberty or by actual or threatened physical violence, to incur a civil liability or to commit an offense.
Du-ress′
,Verb.
T.
To subject to duress.
“The party duressed.” Bacon.
Webster 1828 Edition
Duress
DURESS
,Noun.
1.
Literally, hardship; hence, constraint. Technically, duress, in law, is of two kinds; duress of imprisonment, which is imprisonment or restraint of personal liberty; and duress by menaces or threats [per minas,] when a person is threatened with loss of life or limb. Fear of battery is no duress. Duress then is imprisonment or threats intended to compel a person to do a legal act, as to execute a deed; or to commit an offense; in which cases the act is voidable or excusable.2.
Imprisonment; restraint of liberty.