distress signal

: seizure and detention of the goods of another as pledge (see ¹pledge 1) or to obtain satisfaction of a claim by the sale of the goods seized

: something that is distrained

: pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind : trouble

: to subject to great strain or difficulties

: to force or overcome by inflicting pain

: to cause to worry or be troubled : upset

: offered for sale at a loss

: involving distress goods

: sign, indication

: an act, event, or watchword that has been agreed on as the occasion of concerted action

: something that incites to action

: to notify by a signal

: to communicate or indicate by or as if by signals

: to constitute a characteristic feature of (a meaningful linguistic form)

: distinguished from the ordinary : notable