agonies
|ag-o-nies|
/ˈæɡəni/
(agony)
intense suffering
Etymology
'agony' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'agonia', where 'agon' meant 'contest' or 'struggle'.
'agony' passed into Latin as 'agonia', then into Old French as 'agonie' and Middle English as 'agonie', eventually becoming the modern English word 'agony'.
Initially it meant 'contest' or 'struggle' (related to physical or competitive struggle); over time it shifted toward the current sense of 'intense pain or anguish'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
intense physical pain or suffering (often used for severe bodily pain, e.g., labor pains).
She endured the agonies of childbirth for many hours.
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Noun 2
extreme mental or emotional anguish (intense worry, distress, or torment).
He went through agonies about whether to accept the job offer.
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Last updated: 2025/09/03 01:56