wretch

wretch
wretch (n.) O.E. wrecca "wretch, stranger, exile," from P.Gmc. *wrakjan (Cf. O.S. wrekkio, O.H.G. reckeo "a banished person, exile," Ger. recke "renowned warrior, hero"), related to O.E. wreccan "to drive out, punish" (see WREAK (Cf. wreak)). Sense of "vile, despicable person" developed in Old English, reflecting the sorry state of the outcast, as presented in much of Anglo-Saxon verse (e.g. "The Wanderer"). Cf. German Elend "misery," from O.H.G. elilenti "sojourn in a foreign land, exile."

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  • Wretch — Wretch, n. [OE. wrecche, AS. wrecca, wr[ae]cca, an exile, a wretch, fr. wrecan to drive out, punish; properly, an exile, one driven out, akin to AS. wr[ae]c an exile, OS. wrekkio a stranger, OHG. reccheo an exile. See {Wreak}, v. t.] [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wretch — Studioalbum von Kyuss Veröffentlichung 23. September 1991 Aufnahme 1989 1991 Label …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • wretch — wretch; wretch·ed; wretch·ed·ly; wretch·ed·ness; wretch·less; wretch·less·ness; …   English syllables

  • Wretch — Album par Kyuss Sortie 23 septembre 1991 Enregistrement Palm Springs, Californie Durée 46:36 Genre Rock alternatif, Stoner rock …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Wretch — Álbum de Kyuss Publicación 23 de septiembre de 1991 Género(s) Heavy metal Stoner metal Duración 46:36 Discográfica …   Wikipedia Español

  • wretch — [retʃ] n [: Old English; Origin: wrecca person driven out ] 1.) someone that you feel sorry for ▪ He was a lonely, miserable wretch. 2.) someone you are annoyed with ▪ Stop pulling my hair, you wretch! …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • wretch — [ retʃ ] noun count 1. ) someone who is in a difficult situation and who you feel sorry for: The poor wretch lay crying by the side of the road. 2. ) HUMOROUS someone you do not like or who annoys you: Why did you marry that wretch? a ) LITERARY… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • wretch´ed|ly — wretch|ed «REHCH ihd», adjective. 1. very unfortunate or unhappy. 2. very unsatisfactory; miserable: »a wretched hut. SYNONYM(S): pitiful, shabby. 3. very bad: »a wretched traitor. SYNONYM(S): despicable, base, mean …   Useful english dictionary

  • wretch|ed — «REHCH ihd», adjective. 1. very unfortunate or unhappy. 2. very unsatisfactory; miserable: »a wretched hut. SYNONYM(S): pitiful, shabby. 3. very bad: »a wretched traitor. SYNONYM(S): despicable, base, mean …   Useful english dictionary

  • wretch — ► NOUN 1) an unfortunate person. 2) informal a contemptible person. ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

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