from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
High-pressure \High"-pres`sure\ (?; 135), a.
1. Having or involving a pressure greatly exceeding that of
the atmosphere; -- said of steam, air, water, etc., and of
steam, air, or hydraulic engines, water wheels, etc.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: Urgent; intense; as, a high-pressure business or
social life.
[1913 Webster]
3. Using intense psychological pressure or other incentives
to convince others to do things; aggressively persistent;
as, high-pressure salesmen; high-pressure tactics.
[PJC]
{High-pressure engine}, an engine in which steam at high
pressure is used. It may be either a condensing or a
noncondensing engine. Formerly the term was used only of
the latter. See {Steam engine}.
[1913 Webster]