Definition of pain

< paillette

Paine, Robert Treat >

pain    (pn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder.
2. Suffering or distress.
3. pains The pangs of childbirth.
4. pains Great care or effort: take pains with one's work.
5. Informal A source of annoyance; a nuisance.

VERB:
pained, pain·ing, pains
VERB:
tr.

To cause pain to; hurt or injure.

VERB:
intr.

To be the cause of pain.

IDIOM:
on/under pain of

Subject to the penalty of (a specified punishment, such as death).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French peine, from Latin poena, penalty, pain, from Greek poin, penalty; see k^wei-¹ in Indo-European roots

SYNONYMS:
pain, ache, pang, smart, stitch, throe, twinge

These nouns denote a sensation of severe physical discomfort: abdominal pain; aches in my leg; the pangs of a cramped muscle; aspirin that alleviated the smart; a stitch in my side; the throes of dying; a twinge of arthritis.