Anguished (/ˈæŋɡwɪʃt/) is a word that describes intense emotional or physical pain. The pronunciation of the word can be broken down phonetically as follows: /æŋ/- a nasal vowel sound, /g/ - a voiced velar plosive, /w/ - a voiced labialized velar approximant, /ɪʃ/ - a diphthong that starts with an open front unrounded vowel, and ends with a voiceless palatal fricative. The spelling of anguished is derived from its Latin root word "anguish." The word anguished is commonly used in literature and conversation to describe distress or suffering.
Anguished is an adjective that describes the state of experiencing intense distress, suffering, or pain, both physically and emotionally. The word is typically associated with deep misery, agony, or torment, often causing immense mental anguish or anguish of the soul. The term originates from the Old French word "anguisse," which means "anxiety" or "distress."
When anguished, an individual undergoes severe torment or pain, often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, desperation, or hopelessness. It implies a sense of deep inner turmoil, sorrow, or grief that affects one's mental and emotional well-being. Anguish can be caused by various circumstances, such as personal loss, heartbreak, trauma, or witnessing tragedies.
In an anguished state, individuals might exhibit physical symptoms like sobbing, writhing, clutching one's body, or displaying facial expressions of agony. They may also experience psychological symptoms such as sadness, despair, confusion, or a loss of motivation. The intensity of the anguish can vary between individuals and situations, but it typically reflects a profound suffering that is difficult to alleviate.
It is essential to differentiate between anguished and related terms such as "anxious" or "worried." While anxiety or worry may signify concerns or unease about potential future events, anguished specifically denotes acute distress arising from current pain or suffering.
The word "anguished" has its roots in the Old French term "angoisse", which was derived from the Latin word "angustia". In Latin, "angustia" means narrowness or constriction. Over time, "angoisse" in Old French evolved to refer to distress, torment, or extreme anxiety. From Old French, the term made its way into Middle English as "anguissh", which eventually became "anguish" in Modern English. The adjective form, "anguished", describes a state of intense emotional pain or suffering.