[ag.o.ny] n, pl -nies [ME agonie, fr. LL agonia, fr. Gk agonia struggle, anguish, fr. agon gathering, contest for a prize, fr. agein to lead, celebrate--more at agent] (14c) 1 a: intense pain of mind or body: anguish, torture b: the struggle that precedes death
2: a violent struggle or contest
3: a strong sudden display (as of joy or delight): outburst syn see distress