Ag"o*ny (&?;), n.; pl.
Agonies (&?;). [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.
Syn. -- 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!" Dryden.
