From Latin "angustus" meaning "narrow, straitened"
Comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₂engʰ-" meaning "narrow, tight"
Meaning of 'anguished':
Suffering intense mental or emotional pain
Distressed, tormented
Origin of the word 'anguished':
The origin of the word "anguished" can be traced back to the Latin word "angustus," which means "narrow" or "straitened." This word was used to describe both physical and metaphorical narrowness. For example, it could be used to describe a narrow road or a narrow mind.
Over time, the meaning of "angustus" evolved to include a sense of distress or torment. This is likely because a narrow or straitened space can be uncomfortable or even painful to be in.
The word "anguished" entered the English language in the 16th century. It was originally used to describe physical pain, but it soon came to be used to describe mental or emotional pain as well. Today, "anguished" is a common word used to describe a wide range of painful experiences, from the pain of heartbreak to the pain of grief.
