ˈrech noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English wrecche, from Old English wrecca, wræcca outcast, exile, stranger; akin to Old Saxon wrekkio outcast, stranger, Old High German reccho, reckio banished man, outcast, Old English wrecan to drive out, punish — more at wreak
1.
a. : a miserable person : one profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune, poverty, or distress
starving, spiritless wretches — F.V.W.Mason
b. : something (as a child or pet) in slight misfortune
the poor darling wretch — P.L.Fermor
2. : one sunk in vice or degradation : a base, despicable, or vile person : one who is wicked, cruel, or contemptible
a malignant wretch will cut his own throat because he sees you give alms to the deserving — Edmund Burke