pain

pain pain (p[=a]n), n. [OE. peine, F. peine, fr. L. poena, penalty, punishment, torment, pain; akin to Gr. poinh` penalty. Cf. {Penal}, {Pine} to languish, {Punish}.] 1. Punishment suffered or denounced; suffering or evil inflicted as a punishment for crime, or connected with the commission of a crime; penalty. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

We will, by way of mulct or pain, lay it upon him. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

Interpose, on pain of my displeasure. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

None shall presume to fly, under pain of death. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

2. Any uneasy sensation in animal bodies, from slight uneasiness to extreme distress or torture, proceeding from a derangement of functions, disease, or injury by violence; bodily distress; bodily suffering; an ache; a smart. ``The pain of Jesus Christ.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Note: Pain may occur in any part of the body where sensory nerves are distributed, and it is always due to some kind of stimulation of them. The sensation is generally interpreted as originating at the peripheral end of the nerve. [1913 Webster]

3. pl. Specifically, the throes or travail of childbirth. [1913 Webster]

She bowed herself and travailed, for her pains came upon her. --1 Sam. iv. 19. [1913 Webster]

4. Uneasiness of mind; mental distress; disquietude; anxiety; grief; solicitude; anguish. Also called {mental pain}. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster +PJC]

In rapture as in pain. --Keble. [1913 Webster]

5. See {Pains}, labor, effort. [1913 Webster]

{Bill of pains and penalties}. See under {Bill}.

{To die in the pain}, to be tortured to death. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]