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distress signal — a signal sent by someone in danger to ask for help

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a signal sent by someone in danger to ask for help

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈstres ˈsɪɡnəl/

Example Sentences

  • The hiker activated his GPS distress signal when he realized he was completely lost and his phone battery had died.
  • My mom considers my empty refrigerator a distress signal that I need to learn how to cook properly.
  • The coast guard responded immediately to the yacht's distress signal and rescued all passengers safely.

distress signal

NOUN

[/dɪˈstres ˈsɪɡnəl/]

a signal sent by someone in danger to ask for help

a signal sent by someone in danger to ask for help
💡 Concept

a signal sent by someone in danger to ask for help

The distress signal helps address and express the exact location!
🎵 Rhyme

The distress signal helps address and express the exact location!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈstres ˈsɪɡnəl/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈstres ˈsɪɡnəl/

🌳Etymology

Prefixdis--
Rootstrict
Suffix--ess

Origin

Distress derives from Latin 'districtus' (drawn tight, pressed), while signal comes from Latin 'signum' (mark, sign). The compound term emerged to denote a sign or mark transmitted during a state of acute pressure or danger.

Breakdown

distress (from Latin districtus: pressed, constrained) + signal (from Latin signum: mark, sign). Together they form a compound noun meaning a communicated indication of urgent peril or emergency.

🎵Rhyme

address
express
success

🔗Collocations

send a distress signal
receive a distress signal
emergency distress signal
distress signal flare
maritime distress signal
radio distress signal

📝Examples

“The hiker activated his GPS distress signal when he realized he was completely lost and his phone battery had died.”

😄 Fun example

“My mom considers my empty refrigerator a distress signal that I need to learn how to cook properly.”

“The coast guard responded immediately to the yacht's distress signal and rescued all passengers safely.”

😄 Fun example

“When the elevator got stuck between floors, Sarah joked that they should send a distress signal by ordering pizza delivery.”

📚Related Words

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