agony etymology

Etymology

• Greek: ἀγωνία (agōnia)
• Meaning: "Contest," "struggle," "painful distress"

Origin

The word "agony" comes from the Greek word "agōnia," which originally meant "contest" or "struggle." This sense is still retained in words like "agony uncle" (a person who gives advice on personal problems) and "agony column" (a newspaper column where readers can ask for advice).

However, over time, the word "agony" has come to be used more specifically to refer to severe physical or mental pain or distress. This usage is first attested in the 16th century.

Meaning

Today, the word "agony" has the following meanings:

• Extreme physical or mental pain or distress: "She writhed in agony as the pain coursed through her body."
• A state of intense suffering or despair: "The soldier had endured days of agony in enemy captivity."
• A difficult or painful experience: "The decision to leave my hometown was filled with agony."

agony relate terms

• agon

  Etymology Greek ἄγων agōn meaning contest struggle or conflict Mean

• agony

  Etymology Greek ἀγωνία agōnia Meaning Contest struggle painful distr

• agonist

  Etymology Greek ἀγωνιστής agōnistḗs Meaning competitor contestant

• agony

  Etymology Greek ἀγωνία agōnia Meaning Contest struggle painful distr

• agonize

  Etymology and Meaning agonize verb Origin From Late Latin agonizāre from Greek a

• antagonism

  Etymology Greek antagonismos antagonism strife conflict From antagonizesthai t

• antagonist

  Etymology Greek ἀνταγωνιστής antagonistēs from ἀντί anti agai

• throe

  Etymology The word throe comes from the Old English word þrāg meaning a struggle

• prong

  Etymology The word prong is derived from the Old English word prong which is of Ger

• anger

  Etymology Old English anger noun and verb derived from the Proto Germanic root an

• pain

  Etymology Old French peine Latin poena punishment penalty Proto Indo European k

• hurt

  Etymology The word hurt derives from the Middle English word hurten which is of Ang

• ruth

  Etymology origin of the word The name Ruth is of Hebrew origin and comes from the word

• passion

  Etymology The word passion derives from the Late Latin word passio meaning sufferi