agony

Definitions

From Greek agōnia ('struggle, anguish'), from agōn (a contest or gathering), ultimately from agein ('to drive, lead') — the Greek cousin of agere. An agōn was a struggle one was driven into; the mental and physical strain of that struggle became agony.

Why It Means This

agony traces to the Greek agōn — a public contest or struggle (the same root gives 'agonize' and 'protagonist'). The strain of being driven into such a struggle, body and mind, became 'agony.' Far from acting, but the same 'drive' root underneath.

Common Collocations

• 1.in agony痛苦不堪
• 2.agony of defeat失败的痛苦
• 3.mental agony精神折磨

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He was in agony after breaking his leg.

• 2.

  The agony of waiting for the results was unbearable.