Agony

Agony
Agony Ag"o*ny, n.; pl. {Agonies}. [L. agonia, Gr. ?, orig. a contest, fr. ?: cf. F. agonie. See {Agon}.] 1. Violent contest or striving. [1913 Webster]

The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

2. Pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in Greece; and hence, extreme pain of mind or body; anguish; paroxysm of grief; specifically, the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. [1913 Webster]

Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. --Luke xxii. 44. [1913 Webster]

3. Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion. [1913 Webster]

With cries and agonies of wild delight. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

4. The last struggle of life; death struggle. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Anguish; torment; throe; distress; pangs; suffering.

Usage: {Agony}, {Anguish}, {Pang}. These words agree in expressing extreme pain of body or mind. Agony denotes acute and permanent pain, usually of the whole system., and often producing contortions. Anguish denotes severe pressure, and, considered as bodily suffering, is more commonly local (as anguish of a wound), thus differing from agony. A pang is a paroxysm of excruciating pain. It is severe and transient. The agonies or pangs of remorse; the anguish of a wounded conscience. ``Oh, sharp convulsive pangs of agonizing pride!'' --Dryden. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Agony — may refer to: Concepts * Pain, anguish, or struggle, especially the struggle that precedes death, from the Greek word agonia (Webster s dictionary) *Passion (Christianity), also called the Agony of Christ *Agony aunt, an advice columnist *Spice… …   Wikipedia

  • Agony — Éditeur Psygnosis Développeur Art Magic Date de sortie 1992 Genre Shoot them up Mode de jeu Un joueur Plate forme …   Wikipédia en Français

  • agony — (n.) late 14c., mental suffering (especially that of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane), from O.Fr. agonie, agoine anguish, terror, death agony (14c.), and directly from L.L. agonia, from Gk. agonia a (mental) struggle for victory, originally a… …   Etymology dictionary

  • agony — [ag′ə nē] n. pl. agonies [ME agonie < L agonia < Gr agōnia, a contest for victory < agōn, AGON] 1. very great mental or physical pain 2. death pangs 3. a convulsive struggle 4. a sudden, strong outburst (of emotion) [an agony of …   English World dictionary

  • agony — index distress (anguish), pain, plaint, stress (strain) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • agony — suffering, passion, *distress, misery, dolor Analogous words: pang, throe, ache, *pain, twinge: *trial, tribulation, affliction, visitation Contrasted words: *rest, repose, ease, comfort: solace, consolation (see corresponding verbs at COMFORT):… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • agony — [n] suffering, pain affliction, anguish, distress, dolor, misery, pangs, passion, throes, torment, torture, woe; concepts 410,728 Ant. comfort, happiness, health, peace, success …   New thesaurus

  • agony — ► NOUN (pl. agonies) ▪ extreme suffering. ORIGIN Greek ag nia, from ag n contest …   English terms dictionary

  • agony — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ excruciating, extreme, intense ▪ absolute, pure, sheer, utter ▪ exquisite ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • agony */ — UK [ˈæɡənɪ] / US noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms agony : singular agony plural agonies 1) great pain in agony: William fell to the ground, writhing in agony. 2) a strong and unpleasant feeling, especially great worry or sadness agony of:… …   English dictionary

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