Abstract
Words have various meanings expressed in diverse ways. The aim of this paper is to comprehend the meaning of pressure, specifically applying the term as life’s pressure.
Definition
Pressure, pronounced as pres·sure [préshər], can either be used as a noun or a verb. Pressure as a noun (plural pres·sures) denotes the use of persuasion or intimidation to make someone do something, it is a feeling of stressful urgency; and when used as a verb means to attempt to persuade or coerce into doing something (Oxford, 2007).
It is a constant state of worry and urgency: powerful and stressful demands on somebody’s time, attention, and energy, or a demand of this sort. It is a force that pushes or urges: something that affects thoughts and behavior in a powerful way, usually in the form of several outside influences working together persuasively (Encarta, 2007).
Example: Elisha and Daniel are under constant pressure to fulfill their noble obligation in making known the Word of God.
Synonyms
According to MSN Encarta Dictionary, pressure is synonymous with stress, anxiety, weight, demands, difficulty, load, burden, strain, tension, care, hassle (informal).
Etymology
The word “pressure” is documented since 1382, “act or fact of pressing on the mind or heart,” from Old French pressure, from Latin pressura “action of pressing,” from pressus, prepositional phrase of premere “to press”. Literal meaning “act or fact of pressing” in a physical sense is attested from 1601. The scientific sense in physics is from 1660. The verb meaning “to exert pressure on” is attested from 1939, American English Pressure cooker is attested from 1915; figure sense is from 1958.
Illustration and analysis
Pressures or cares of life include family, society, internal and external forces, and the most common of all is basic human needs. Such pressures are accounted for by different penmen in the Bible such as Matthew, in Matthew 6.31 – “Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (ASV, 1901)”
Moreover, Paul wrote to the Corinthians in II Corinthians 11.26-28 saying – “In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches (KJV, 1769).
Saint Luke also wrote an account in Luke 8.14 – “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection (KJV, 1769).”
Conclusion
None of these pressures can bring a real man down unless he loses hope and chooses to become one.
References
Oxford University Press. “Pressure.” 2007. Compact Oxford English Dictionary. Web.
The Bible. King James Version of the Holy Bible (1850 revision). II Corinthians 11.26-28; Luke 8.14.
The Bible. American Standard Version. 1901. Matthew 6.31.
Harper, Douglas. “Pressure.” Online Etymology Dictionary. 2001. Web.
“Pressure.” Microsoft® Encarta® 2007 [DVD]. © 1993-2006 Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation.