misery
Synonyms
wretchedness
heartache
woe
broken_heart
bleeding_heart
[great_unhappiness]
[see calamity_and_misfortune]
Mi"ser*y, n.; pl. Miseries. Etym: [OE. miserie, L. miseria, fr. miser wretched: cf. F. misère, OF. also, miserie.] 1. Great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind; wretchedness; distress; woe. Chaucer. Destruction and misery are in their ways. Rom. iii. 16. 2. Cause of misery; calamity; misfortune. When we our betters see bearing our woes, We scarcely think our miseries our foes. Shak. 3. Covetousness; niggardliness; avarice. [Obs.] Syn. -- Wretchedness; torture; agony; torment; anguish; distress; calamity; misfortune.