pains
pains Lexical Profile
pains Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Physical suffering, localized bodily aches, or the rhythmic contractions of childbirth.
"She complained of sharp pains in her lower back after lifting the heavy boxes."
Great care, trouble, or diligent effort taken to accomplish something.
"The historian went to great pains to verify the authenticity of every manuscript in the archive."
• verb
To cause physical suffering or emotional distress to someone (third-person singular present of pain).
"It pains me to see such a historic building fall into disrepair."
Word Nuance & Usage
When meaning 'careful effort or trouble' (as in 'take pains' or 'at great pains'), the noun 'pains' is a pluralia tantum that is plural in form and commonly takes a plural verb, though a singular verb is occasionally seen in older usage.
• Rhymes for pains
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English peine, borrowed from Old French peine ('punishment, suffering, effort'), from Latin poena ('penalty, punishment'), which came from Ancient Greek poinē ('blood-money, penalty').