What does the word ‘stress’ mean?

Correct option is B

Stress refers to the relative degree of prominence with which different syllables of a word are pronounced. This linguistic feature distinguishes meaning and enhances clarity in spoken language.
Information Booster:
1. Stress is central to phonology, influencing word rhythm and sentence intonation.
2. Primary stress denotes the strongest syllable in a word, while secondary stress is weaker.
3. Incorrect stress placement can alter word meanings (e.g., record vs. record).
4. Stress patterns vary between languages, affecting pronunciation and comprehension.
Additional Information:
· (a) Partial truth but lacks precision regarding syllable emphasis.
· (c) Irrelevant; stress doesn’t relate specifically to "word history."
· (d) Incorrect; "stress" in linguistics doesn’t refer to mental stress caused by difficult words.