1 pain
/ˈpeɪn/
noun
plural
pains
1 pain
/ˈpeɪn/
noun
plural
pains
Britannica Dictionary definition of PAIN
1
:
the physical feeling caused by disease, injury, or something that hurts the body
[noncount]
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The medication may upset your stomach but if you experience acute abdominal pain call your doctor.
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I've had chronic back pain since the accident.
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It was obvious that she was in pain. [=feeling pain]
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Each patient has a different pain threshold. [=ability to tolerate pain]
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The medicine provides 12 hours of pain relief.
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For a week after surgery she took prescription pain medication/relievers. [=painkillers]
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[count]
-
I feel a dull/sharp pain if I touch the bruise.
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— see also aches and pains at 2ache
2
:
mental or emotional suffering
:
sadness caused by some emotional or mental problem
[noncount]
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They didn't want to cause him pain. [=they didn't want to upset or hurt him]
-
the pain of a difficult childhood
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[count]
-
It is a story about the joys and pains of life.
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— see also growing pains
3
[singular]
informal
:
someone or something that causes trouble or makes you feel annoyed or angry
-
Rush hour traffic is such a pain.
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This orange is a pain to peel.
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Our neighbor can be such a pain. [=nuisance]
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— often used in phrases like pain in the neck or (impolite) pain in the ass
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My little sister can be a (real/royal) pain in the neck.
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be at pains
:
to try hard to do something
-
They were at pains to distance themselves from the scandal.
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go to great pains
or
take (great) pains
:
to be careful in doing something
:
to try hard to do something
— followed by to + verb
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We went to great pains not to offend anyone.
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He took great pains to explain the situation to us.
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on/under pain of
formal
:
at the risk of being given (a particular form of punishment)
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She was ordered to remain silent under pain of imprisonment.
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He cannot return to the country on pain of death. [=he will be killed if he returns to the country]
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2 pain
/ˈpeɪn/
verb
pains;
pained;
paining
2 pain
/ˈpeɪn/
verb
pains;
pained;
paining
Britannica Dictionary definition of PAIN
[+ object]
formal
:
to cause (someone) to feel emotional pain
:
to make (someone) upset, sad, worried, etc.
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He was deeply pained [=hurt] by your words.
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As much as it pains me to admit it, she was right.
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