Etymology Map
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Anguish

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means severe mental or physical pain

Where does the word "anguish" come from? It comes from Latin angustia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
angustia
Latin · ancient
"tightness, distress"
from 'angustus', narrow, related to 'angere', to choke, the root of 'anger' and 'anxious'
2
Stage 2 of 3
anguisse
Old French · medieval
"choking distress"
a feeling of being squeezed by pain
3
Stage 3 of 3
anguish
English · 1200s
"severe distress"
used of both body and mind
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Read the full story

Anguish’s story begins in Latin: angustia meant “tightness, distress.” From 'angustus', narrow, related to 'angere', to choke, the root of 'anger' and 'anxious'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as anguisse. A feeling of being squeezed by pain. It reached English by 1200s as anguish. Used of both body and mind. Today, anguish means severe mental or physical pain.