Lexic.us

Definition of Agony

1. Noun. Intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain. "The torments of the damned"

Definition of Agony

1. n. Violent contest or striving.

Definition of Agony

1. Noun. Violent contest or striving. ¹

2. Noun. 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. ¹

3. Noun. Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion. ¹

4. Noun. The last struggle of life; death struggle. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Agony

1. extreme pain [n -NIES]

Medical Definition of Agony

1. Origin: L. Agonia, Gr, orig. A contest, fr., cf. F. Agonie. See Agon. 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. Synonym: 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!" Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Agony

Literary usage of Agony

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"The foundations of the ancient church of the agony were discovered behind this wall. ceiling of the grotto an inscription concerning it. ..."

2. The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: Translated Out of (1858)
"44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from ..."

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