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.