agony
/ˈæɡ.ə.ni/
ÆꞬ · ə · ni (3 syllables)
English
Noun Top 7,835
American (Lessac)
(medium)
Female
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American (Amy)
(medium)
Female
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American (Ryan)
(medium)
Male
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Definition
Extreme pain.
Etymology
14th century, via Old French and Latin from Ancient Greek ἀγωνία (agōnía, “emulation, competition, struggle”), from ἀγών (agṓn, “contest”). Specifically of the struggle that precedes death (mortal agony) from the 1540s. The sense of "extreme pain" from c. 1600.
Example Sentences
- "When the weight fell on her foot, she cried out in agony."
- "And being in an agonie, he prayed more earneſtly,[…]."
- "The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations."
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