Search the Dictionary

Cause of sorrow or pain; that which afficts or distresses; trial; grievance. Be factious for redress of all these griefs. Shak.

To pinch; to distress. Specifically, to cause pinching and spasmodic pain to the bowels of, as by the effects of certain purgative or indigestible substances. How inly sorrow gripes his soul. Shak.

A low, moaning sound; usually, a deep, mournful sound uttered in pain or great distress; sometimes, an expression of strong disapprobation; as, the remark was received with groans. Such groans of roaring wind and rain. Shak. The wretched animal heaved forth such groans. Shak.

ar or endure; not easy to put up with or consent to; hence, severe; rigorous; oppressive; distressing; unjust; grasping; as, a hard lot; hard times; hard fare; a hard winter; hard conditions or terms. I never could drive a hard bargain. Burke.

To break or tear, as with a harrow; to wound; to lacerate; to torment or distress; to vex. My aged muscles harrowed up with whips. Rowe. I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul. Shak.

To be under hatches, to be confined below in a vessel; to be under arrest, or in slavery, distress, etc.

Causing intense grief; overpowering with anguish; very distressing.

To furnish with the means of deliverance from trouble; as, to help one in distress; to help one out of prison. "God help, poor souls, how idly do they talk!" Shak.

Distressing or offensive to the ear; exciting terror or dismay; as, a hideous noise. "Hideous cries." Shak.

To utter a sound expressive of distress; to cry aloud and mournfully; to lament; to wail. Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand. Is. xiii. 6.

itions, and sympathies of man; especially, a disposition to relieve persons or animals in distress, and to treat all creatures with kindness and tenderness. "The common offices of humanity and friendship." Locke.

Feeling hunger; having a keen appetite; feeling uneasiness or distress from want of food; hence, having an eager desire.

To make bitter; hence, to make distressing or more distressing; to make sad, morose, sour, or malignant. Is there anything that more imbitters the enjoyment of this life than shame South. Imbittered against each other by former contests. Bancroft.

imminent; a threatening, as of something about to happen. The imminence of any danger or distress. Fuller.

nsoled; grieved beyond susceptibility of comfort; disconsolate. Dryden. With inconsolable distress she griev'd, And from her cheek the rose of beauty fied. Falconer. -- In`con*sol"a*ble*ness, n. -- In`con*sol"a*bly, adv.

Not digestible in the mind; distressful; intolerable; as, an indigestible simile. T. Warton. -- In`di*gest"i*ble*ness, n. -- In`di*gest"i*bly, adv.

red and exercised in learning. Robynson (More's Utopia). The poor, inured to drudgery and distress. Cowper.

tted to a certain military rank with special ceremonies, including an oath to protect the distressed, maintain the right, and live a stainless life.

Any pang or distress. Shak.

al satire in writing; usually, malicious and abusive censure written only to reproach and distress. Like her who missed her name in a lampoon, And grieved to find herself decayed so soon. Dryden.