Akademik

du·ress /du̇-'res, dyu̇-/ n [Anglo-French duresce, literally, hardness, harshness, from Old French, from Latin duritia, from durus hard]: wrongful and usu. unlawful compulsion (as threats of physical violence) that induces a person to act against his or her will: coercion; also: the affirmative defense of having acted under duress see also economic duress compare necessity, undue influence

◇ A person may be able to avoid the consequences of his or her acts under the law if they were performed while under duress. For example, a contract made under duress is voidable by the coerced party. Similarly, a will signed under duress is invalid. Duress may also be used to justify a criminal act. A threat to bring a lawsuit is not duress.