Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Grief
Grief
(grēf)
, Noun.
1.
Pain of mind on account of something in the past; mental suffering arising from any cause, as misfortune, loss of friends, misconduct of one’s self or others, etc.; sorrow; sadness.
The mother was so afflicted at the loss of a fine boy, . . . that she died for
grief
of it. Addison.
2.
Cause of sorrow or pain; that which afficts or distresses; trial; grievance.
Be factious for redress of all these
griefs
. Shakespeare
3.
Physical pain, or a cause of it; malady.
[R.]
This
grief
(cancerous ulcers) hastened the end of that famous mathematician, Mr. Harriot. Wood.
Syn. – Affiction; sorrow; distress; sadness; trial; grievance.
Grief
, Sorrow
, Sadness
. Sorrow is the generic term; grief is sorrow for some definite cause – one which commenced, at least, in the past; sadness is applied to a permanent mood of the mind. Sorrow is transient in many cases; but the grief of a mother for the loss of a favorite child too often turns into habitual sadness. “Grief is sometimes considered as synonymous with sorrow; and in this case we speak of the transports of grief. At other times it expresses more silent, deep, and painful affections, such as are inspired by domestic calamities, particularly by the loss of friends and relatives, or by the distress, either of body or mind, experienced by those whom we love and value.” Cogan.
See Affliction
. Webster 1828 Edition
Grief
GRIEF
,Noun.
1.
The pain of mind produced by loss, misfortune, injury or evils of any kind; sorrow; regret. We experience grief when we lose a friend, when we incur loss, when we consider ourselves injured, and by sympathy, we feel grief at the misfortunes of others.2.
The pain of mind occasioned by our own misconduct; sorrow or regret that we have done wrong; pain accompanying repentance. We feel grief when we have offended or injured a friend, and the consciousness of having offended the Supreme Being, fills the penitent heart with the most poignant grief.3.
Cause of sorrow; that which afflicts. Who were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah. Gen.26.
A foolish son is a grief to his father. Prov.17.