■ noun ( plural miseries ) great physical or mental distress or discomfort.
↘a cause of ~: the miseries of war.
↘ Brit. informal a person who is constantly miserable.
Phrases
put someone/thing out of their ~ kill an animal in pain.
↘ informal release someone from suspense or anxiety.
Origin
ME: from OFr. miserie , from L. miseria , from miser 'wretched'.