Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Agony
Ag′o-ny
,Noun.
pl.
Agonies
. 1.
Violent contest or striving.
The world is convulsed by the
agonies
of great nations. Macaulay.
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.
Being in an
agony
he prayed more earnestly. Luke xxii. 44.
3.
Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.
With cries and
agonies
of wild delight. Pope.
4.
The last struggle of life; death struggle.
Syn. – Anguish; torment; throe; distress; pangs; suffering.
–
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Agony
AG'ONY
,Noun.
1.
In strictness, pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in Greece. Hence,2.
Extreme pain of body or mind; anguish; appropriately, the pangs of death, and the sufferings of our Savior in the garden of Gethsemane. Luke 22.3.
Violent contest or striving.Definition 2025
agony
agony
English
Noun
agony (plural agonies)
- Violent contest or striving.
- The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations. —Thomas Babington Macaulay.
- 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.
- Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. —Luke xxii. 44.
- Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.
- With cries and agonies of wild delight. —Alexander Pope.
- The last struggle of life; death struggle.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- (extreme pain): ecstasy
Related terms
Translations
violent contest or striving
extreme pain of mind or body
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paroxysm of joy
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last struggle of life