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agonize

 - 2 dictionary results

ag⋅o⋅nize

[ag-uh-nahyz] verb, -nized, -niz⋅ing.
–verb (used without object)
1. to suffer extreme pain or anguish; be in agony.
2. to put forth great effort of any kind.
–verb (used with object)
3. to distress with extreme pain; torture.
Also, especially British, ag⋅o⋅nise.


Origin:
1575–85; < ML agōnizāre < Gk agōnízesthai to struggle (for a prize), equiv. to agōn- agon + -izesthai -ize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To agonize
ag·o·nize   (āg'ə-nīz')   
v.   ag·o·nized, ag·o·niz·ing, ag·o·niz·es

v.   intr.
  1. To suffer extreme pain or great anguish.

  2. To make a great effort; struggle.

v.   tr.
To cause great pain or anguish to. See Synonyms at afflict.

[Medieval Latin agōnizāre, from Greek agōnizesthai, to struggle, from agōn, contest; see agony.]
ag'o·niz'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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