Search results for 'pain':

pain noun 1 an uncomfortable, distressing or agonizing sensation caused by the stimulation of specialized nerve endings by heat, cold, pressure or other strong stimuli. 2 emotional suffering. 3 derog colloq an irritating or troublesome person or thing. 4 (pains) trouble taken or efforts made in doing something. verb (pained, paining) rather formal to cause distress to someone • It pained me to see the injured donkey. be at pains to do something to be anxious to do it with due care and thoroughness. for one's pains ironic as a reward (usually a poor one) for the trouble one has taken. on pain of something at the risk of incurring it as a punishment. take pains to be careful to do something properly; to be thorough over a task, etc.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from Latin poena punishment.