pang
[pang]
- a sudden feeling of mental or emotional distress or longing: a pang of remorse; a pang of desire.
- a sudden, brief, sharp pain or physical sensation; spasm: hunger pangs.
Origin of pang
First recorded in 1495–1505; origin uncertain
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com1, 2. twinge, ache, throb, prick, stab.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pangs
Contemporary Examples
Exploring the pangs of this tumultuous relationship is what most attracted Kent to this project.
‘The Babadook’ Is the Best (and Most Sincere) Horror Movie of the YearSamuel Fragoso
November 30, 2014
Nostalgic pangs aside, it would also be a semi-admittance by LeBron that he made a mistake way back when.
Even the most astute observer of the healthiest lifestyle can fall victim to the pangs of weather-related headaches.
Why Everything from Frigid Temperatures to Lightning Can Induce MigrainesCaitlin Dickson
January 8, 2014
So when the pangs of “twist” (hunger) make Oliver ask for more, Mr. Limkins predicts “that boy will be hung” (will “twist”).
The book also captures all the pangs the editor of a letter collection encounters.
Historical Examples
Their sighs make thee laugh, and their pangs are thy merriment!
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1Henry Fielding
He ignores honesty and conscience, and pangs of remorse are unknown to him.
The Unknown Life of Jesus ChristNicolas Notovitch
He had slept and no longer felt the pangs of hunger, but was dizzy and confused.
The Fat and the ThinEmile Zola
He had felt hungry in the casemate, and the pangs of hunger had never since left him.
The Fat and the ThinEmile Zola
Pascal, who suffered the pangs of death because he was alone!
Doctor PascalEmile Zola
pang
- a sudden brief sharp feeling, as of loneliness, physical pain, or hunger
Word Origin
C16: variant of earlier prange, of Germanic origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for pangs
pang
n.
1520s, "sudden physical pain," of unknown origin, perhaps related to prong (prongys of deth is recorded from mid-15c.). Reference to mental or emotional pain is from 1560s. Related: Pangs.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
pang
(păng)
- A sudden sharp spasm of pain.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.