Agonies

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Agony \Ag"o*ny\, n.; pl. {Agonies}. [L. agonia, Gr. ?, orig. a
     contest, fr. ?: cf. F. agonie. See {Agon}.]
     1. Violent contest or striving.
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              The world is convulsed by the agonies of great


              nations.                              --Macaulay.
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     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.
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              Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. --Luke
                                                    xxii. 44.
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     3. Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.
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              With cries and agonies of wild delight. --Pope.
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     4. The last struggle of life; death struggle.
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     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.
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