prestress
|pre-stress|
/priːˈstrɛs/
apply stress beforehand
Etymology
'prestress' originates from the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' and the word 'stress' from Latin 'stringere' meaning 'to draw tight'.
'prestress' evolved from the combination of 'pre-' and 'stress' in the 20th century to describe a specific engineering process.
Initially, it meant 'to apply stress beforehand', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the stress applied to a material before it is subjected to a load.
The prestress in the bridge cables ensures they can handle heavy loads.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to apply stress to a material, such as concrete, before it is subjected to a load.
The engineers decided to prestress the concrete beams to enhance their strength.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/20 06:14