\Ag"o*ny\, n.; pl. {Agonies}. [L. agonia, Gr. ?, orig. a
contest, fr. ?: cf. F. agonie. See {Agon}.]
1. Violent contest or striving.
         The world is convulsed by the agonies of great
         nations.                              --Macaulay.
2. Pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the
   body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in
   Greece; and hence, extreme pain of mind or body; anguish;
   paroxysm of grief; specifically, the sufferings of Christ
   in the garden of Gethsemane.
         Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. --Luke
                                               xxii. 44.
3. Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.
         With cries and agonies of wild delight. --Pope.
4. The last struggle of life; death struggle.
Syn: Anguish; torment; throe; distress; pangs; suffering.
Usage: {Agony}, {Anguish}, {Pang}. These words agree in
       expressing extreme pain of body or mind. Agony denotes
       acute and permanent pain, usually of the whole
       system., and often producing contortions. Anguish
       denotes severe pressure, and, considered as bodily
       suffering, is more commonly local (as anguish of a
       wound), thus differing from agony. A pang is a
       paroxysm of excruciating pain. It is severe and
       transient. The agonies or pangs of remorse; the
       anguish of a wounded conscience. ``Oh, sharp
       convulsive pangs of agonizing pride!'' --Dryden.