anguish

Definition

Extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress.

Etymology

From Middle English angwissh, anguishe, angoise, from Anglo-Norman anguise, anguisse, from Old French angoisse, from Latin angustia (“narrowness, scarcity, difficulty, distress”), from angustus (“narrow, difficult”), from angere (“to press together, cause pain, distress”). See angst, the Germanic cognate, and anger.

Example Sentences

• "So, ye miserable people; you must go to God in anguishes, and make your prayer to him."
• "Is there no play, To ease the anguish of a torturing hour?"
• "Love of your selfe, she saide, and deare constraint, Lets me not sleepe, but wast the wearie night In secret anguish and unpittied plaint, Whiles you in carelesse sleepe are drowned quight."