/ˈæɡ.ə.ni/, /əˈɡoni/, /ˈaɡɵni/
Origin14th century, via Old French and Latin from Ancient Greek ἀγωνία (agōnía, “emulation, competition, struggle”), from ἀγών (agṓn, “contest”). Specifically of the struggle that precedes death (mortal agony) from the 1540s.
The sense of "extreme pain" from c. 1600.
- countable, uncountableExtreme pain.
“When the weight fell on her foot, she cried out in agony.”
- countable, uncountableThe sufferings of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane (often capitalized).
“And being in an agonie, he prayed more earneſtly,[…].”
- countable, dated, uncountableViolent contest or striving.
“The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations.”
- countable, dated, uncountableParoxysm of joy; keen emotion.
“With cries and agonies of wild delight.”
- countable, uncountableThe last struggle of life; death struggle.
Formsagonies(plural)