anguish

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

But they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. Ex. vi. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

Anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child. Jer. iv. 31. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rarely used in the plural: --

Ye miserable people, you must go to God in anguishes, and make your prayer to him. Latimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Agony; pang; torture; torment. See Agony. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. F. angoisser, fr. L. angustiare. ] To distress with extreme pain or grief. [ R. ] Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]