An"guish (&?;), n. [OE. anguishe, anguise, angoise, F. angoisse, fr. L. angustia narrowness, difficulty, distress, fr. angustus narrow, difficult, fr. angere to press together. See Anger.] Extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress.

But they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
Ex. vi. 9.

Anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child.
Jer. iv. 31.

Rarely used in the plural: -

Ye miserable people, you must go to God in anguishes, and make your prayer to him.

Syn. -- Agony; pang; torture; torment. See Agony.

An"guish, v. t. [Cf. F. angoisser, fr. L. angustiare.] To distress with extreme pain or grief. [R.] Temple.

• Extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress.