Question

The term 'Stress' in English has been derived from which language?

• A. Hindi
• B. German
• C. Latin
• D. Greek

Hint:

Many English words related to science, medicine, and psychology have Latin or Greek roots. When in doubt about a technical term's origin, Latin and Greek are often the most likely candidates.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the linguistic origin (etymology) of the English word 'stress'.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The English word 'stress' originates from Middle English 'stresse', which means hardship or adversity. This was a shortened form of the word 'distress'. 'Distress' itself came from Old French 'estrece', meaning "narrowness, oppression". The French term traces back to the Latin word 'strictus', which means "tight, compressed, drawn together", the past participle of the verb 'stringere', meaning "to draw tight".
Therefore, the ultimate root of the word 'stress' is in Latin.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The term 'stress' has its origins in the Latin words 'strictus' and 'stringere'. Hence, Latin is the correct answer.