GRIEF • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Grief

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noun

Grief n.

Pain of mind on account of something in the past; mental suffering arising from any cause, as misfortune, loss of friends, misconduct of one's self or others, etc.; sorrow; sadness. "The mother was so afflicted at the loss of a fine boy,... that she died for grief of it."

Cause of sorrow or pain; that which afficts or distresses; trial; grievance. "Be factious for redress of all these griefs."

Physical pain, or a cause of it; malady. (R.) "This grief (cancerous ulcers) hastened the end of that famous mathematician, Mr. Harriot."

To come to grief, to meet with calamity, accident, defeat, ruin, etc., causing grief; to turn out badly. (Colloq.)

Synonyms: Affiction; sorrow; distress; sadness; trial; grievance. Grief, Sorrow, Sadness. Sorrow is the generic term; grief is sorrow for some definite cause one which commenced, at least, in the past; sadness is applied to a permanent mood of the mind. Sorrow is transient in many cases; but the grief of a mother for the loss of a favorite child too often turns into habitual sadness. "Grief is sometimes considered as synonymous with sorrow; and in this case we speak of the transports of grief. At other times it expresses more silent, deep, and painful affections, such as are inspired by domestic calamities, particularly by the loss of friends and relatives, or by the distress, either of body or mind, experienced by those whom we love and value." See Affliction.

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Etymology of 'Grief'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Grief" Quotes from Famous Books

... that is to say, his company; and observe what a company it is. Before him go Fancy, Desire, Doubt, Danger, Fear, Fallacious Hope, Dissemblance, Suspicion, Grief, Fury, Displeasure, Despite, and Cruelty. ...

— The Stones of Venice, Volume II (of 3) • John Ruskin

... of this warning, I nearly came to grief at the dam. The wind had shifted until it blew directly down the stream. The river, nearly a mile wide, still ran with a powerful current; I ceased rowing and drifted down, over waves much like those one would find on a lake driven by a heavy wind. I saw some high ...

— Through the Grand Canyon from Wyoming to Mexico • E. L. Kolb

... pleasure were changed to vexation and grief. The most careful nursing—the stiff, weak little legs were dipped into and rubbed with French brandy—and a warm pen with a dry sanded floor directly over a heater, did their work. As the new-comer got on his feet again my hope gained new life, and now our jerboa is my delight. ...

— Scientific American Supplement, No. 841, February 13, 1892 • Various

... and feeling. She must never let feeling—pain—destroy her will! Everything depends upon her will. If I choose I can put this feeling down. I have no right to it. Philip has done me no wrong. If I yield to it, if it darkens my life, it will be another grief added to those he has already suffered. It shan't darken my life. I will—and can master it. There is so much still to learn, to do, to feel. I must wrench myself free—and go forward. How I chattered to Philip about the modern woman!—and ...

— Helena • Mrs. Humphry Ward

... was with the greatest reluctance, and the most poignant anguish, that he found himself obliged to yield. One would have thought that I had wrested his very soul from him. I found myself more light and merry after I had eased him of his trust; he, on the contrary, appeared so overwhelmed with grief, that it seemed as if I had laid four hundred pounds of lead upon his back, instead of taking away these four hundred louis. He went on so heavily, that I was forced to whip his horse myself, and turning to me, now and then, 'Ah! sir,' ...

— The Memoirs of Count Grammont, Complete • Anthony Hamilton

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