Definitions for: Grief


[n] something that causes great unhappiness; "her death was a great grief to John"
[n] intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)



Webster (1913) Definition: Grief (gr[=e]f), n. [OE. grief, gref, OF. grief, gref,
F. grief, L. gravis heavy; akin to Gr. bary`s, Skr. guru,
Goth. ka['u]rus. Cf. Barometer, Grave, a., Grieve,
Gooroo.]
1. 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. --Addison.

2. Cause of sorrow or pain; that which afficts or distresses;
trial; grievance.

Be factious for redress of all these griefs. --Shak.

3. Physical pain, or a cause of it; malady. [R.]

This grief (cancerous ulcers) hastened the end of
that famous mathematician, Mr. Harriot. --Wood.

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

Syn: Affiction; sorrow; distress; sadness; trial; grievance.

Usage: 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.'' --Cogan. See Affliction.

Synonyms: brokenheartedness, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow

See Also: dolor, dolour, negative stimulus, sorrow

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