from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Misery \Mi"ser*y\, n.; pl. {Miseries}. [OE. miserie, L. miseria,
fr. miser wretched: cf. F. mis[`e]re, OF. also, miserie.]
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1. Great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind;
wretchedness; distress; woe. --Chaucer.
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Destruction and misery are in their ways. --Rom.
iii. 16.
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2. Cause of misery; calamity; misfortune.
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When we our betters see bearing our woes,
We scarcely think our miseries our foes. --Shak.
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3. Covetousness; niggardliness; avarice. [Obs.]
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Syn: Wretchedness; torture; agony; torment; anguish;
distress; calamity; misfortune.
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