wretchn.adj.
/rɛtʃ/, U.S. /rɛtʃ/ A. n.† 1. One driven out of or away from his native country; a banished person; an exile.The Middle English instances are doubtful; they may be contextual uses of sense A. 2.† 4. A niggardly or parsimonious person; a miser. Obsolete. (In later use chiefly Scottish)† 5. A poor or paltry thing. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabitant > exile > [noun]
wretchc888
flemeOE
outflemec1300
exilec1330
flemingc1374
exulatec1470
relegate?c1550
exul1573
fugitivea1616
deportee1895
dépaysé1909
déraciné1921
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. ii Ða lioð þe ic wrecca geo lustbærlice song ic sceal nu heofiende singan.
OE Beowulf 1137 Ða wæs winter scacen, fæger foldan bearm; fundode wrecca, gist of geardum.
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 722 Ealdbriht wrecca gewat on Suðrege & on Suð Seaxe.
c1386 G. Chaucer Second Nun's Prol. 58 Now help thow..Me flemed wrecche in this desert of galle.
c1450 Ludus Coventriæ 26 Goo naked vngry and bare foot.., as wrecch in werlde þou wende.
c1450 Ludus Coventriæ 27 I wende as wrecch in welsom way.
2.
a. One who is sunk in deep distress, sorrow, misfortune, or poverty; a miserable, unhappy, or unfortunate person; a poor or hapless being.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > tribulation, trouble, or affliction > wretched person
wretchc1000
caitiffc1325
crachouna1400
wretcheda1425
miserable1484
miser1542
afflicted1545
seggon1570
elf1573
devil1593
wreck1795
the mind > emotion > suffering > misery > [noun] > miserable person
armOE
ermingOE
wretchc1000
caitiffc1325
crachouna1400
miserable1484
miser1542
elf1573
angishore1835
α.
β. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 23236 Þe v. [pine of hell] es vndemenes of dint, Þat þa wriches þar sal hint.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 23104 Þar sal stand on his left side, Wrichis stad in waful wide.1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Miv/1 A Wrytche, miser.γ. c1480 (a1400) St. Machor 1010 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 29 Þan was þat wrache wondir wa.c1000 Boeth. Metr. x. 38 Ne mæg mon æfre þy eð ænne wræccan his cræftes beniman.
a1023 Wulfstan Homilies vi. 45 Wræccena reaflac is on heora hamum.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 109 Ȝif þe cristene mon bið sacful, and ȝif þe wrecche bið modi.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 284 So hech ȝeoue nes neauer iȝeuen to se lachȝe wrecches.
c1275 Sinners beware 103 in Old Eng. Misc. 75 Nv weneþ ek þes wrecche Þat he ne þurue recche.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13564 Cowardie halp þer no wrecche.
1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 385 Mercy or almes is a wille of relevynge of a wreche oute of his mysese.
c1410 T. Hoccleve Mother of God 15 Modir of mercy,..Benigne confort of vs wrecches all!
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clii. f. lxxxv He was..mylde and gracious to the poore, and marcyfull to wretchis and nedy.
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. ii. sig. H.vii/1 Solomon the..happy king of Iuda, bycause of his Idolatrie..is of a soudeine, made a wretch of all other.
1623 J. Taylor New Discouery by Sea B 3 b Poore wretches, which (were it not for your charity) would perish in your streetes.
1671 T. Hunt Abecedarium Scholasticum 140 If money do fail a wretch thou art.
a1721 M. Prior 24 Songs iii. 8 She scorns to hear, or see, The wretch that lies so low as me.
1775 W. Mason Gray's Ode Vicissitude in Poems 80 The Wretch, that long has tost On the thorny bed of pain.
1810 R. Southey Curse of Kehama iv. 31 Even in the grave there is no rest for me, Cut off from that last hope,..the wretches joy.
1855 Ld. Granville in Life (1905) I. 106 Being a bed-ridden wretch I do not venture to disobey you.
1868 W. Morris Earthly Paradise i. 349 O King, whom all the world henceforth shall know As wretched among wretches.
b. Without article. (Frequently in apposition to a personal pronoun.)
ΚΠ
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10140 Þatt te birrþ forr þe lufe off godd. Wiþþ usell wrecche dælenn.
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 294 Allas, wreche, hou may i duelle?
c1350 in Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 63 God & man my spouse is—Wele aght me, wryche, to luf him dere.
c1400 26 Pol. Poems 112/163 I, wreche, whyder shal y fle.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xvi. 65 Alas! I wretche and yet unhappy peke Into..trouble.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiii Finally I beseche all..to pray for me wretche.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures i. 2 For myself, poor wretch, I went..in my misery to Setuval.
1743 E. Young Complaint: Night the Fourth 3 Imagination's Fool, and Error's Wretch, Man makes a Death, which Nature never made.
1790 W. Cowper On Receipt Mother's Picture 24 Hover'd thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing son, Wretch even then?
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 45 Fond wretch! He leans upon his crutch, and talks of years To come.
1886 W. J. Tucker Life E. Europe 36 I, poor wretch, in possession of nothing.
c. Used as a term of address.
ΚΠ
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 29 Weilawei wrecche,..al swa eða þu mihtest..smiten of þin aȝen heaueð.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 2049 Hu wrakeliche, wenestu, wule he, al o wraððe, wreken on þe, wrecche!
c1230 Hali Meid. 37 Ah, wrecche! Þe care aȝain þi pinunge þrahen binimeð þe nihtes slepes.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7178 A! wrecches vnwar, woo ys in our hond!
c1540 Image Ipocrysy iii, in J. Skelton Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 437 Ye call that poore man wretch, As thoughe ye hadd no retche.
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) xiv. 503 O wretch of Guests..thy Tale hath stirr'd My minde to much ruth.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci v. ii. 85 Poor wretch, I pity thee.
d. Applied to animals, birds, or insects.
ΚΠ
a1300 Vox & Wolf in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 66 The wrecche binethe nothing ne vind, Bote cold water.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Preaching of Swallow l. 1916 in Poems (1981) 74 Thir hungrie birdis, wretchis we may call.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. lxxxvii. 628 Vpon them shall be fastened manie boordes or hurdles..for to pleasure this small wretch [sc. a silkworm] withall.
1602 W. S. True Chron. Hist. Ld. Cromwell sig. D4v Who sees the Cob-web intangle the poore Flie, May boldlie say the wretches death is nigh.
1627 M. Drayton Nimphidia in Battaile Agincourt 110 Soone away the Waspe doth goe, Poore wretch was neuer frighted so.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews II. iii. iv. 79 This was the second time this Squire had endeavoured to kill the little Wretch [= a favourite dog] . View more context for this quotation
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews II. iii. v. 93 The Hare was no sooner on Shore than it..listened to the Sound of the Pursuers. Fanny was wonderfully pleased with the little Wretch . View more context for this quotation
1744 J. Thomson Summer in Seasons (new ed.) 66 The villain Spider.., fixing in the Wretch his cruel Fangs, Strikes backward.
1802 G. V. Sampson Statist. Surv. Londonderry 210 As to the rearing of calves, there is a [cruel] superstition... As soon as the wretch is produced,..two persons..pull it most forcibly.
e. A person or little creature. (Used as a term of playful depreciation, or to denote slight commiseration or pity.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > [noun]
hadc900
lifesmaneOE
maneOE
world-maneOE
ghostOE
wyeOE
lifeOE
son of manOE
wightc1175
soulc1180
earthmanc1225
foodc1225
person?c1225
creaturec1300
bodyc1325
beera1382
poppetc1390
flippera1400
wat1399
corsec1400
mortal?a1425
deadly?c1450
hec1450
personagec1485
wretcha1500
human1509
mundane1509
member1525
worma1556
homo1561
piece of flesh1567
sconce1567
squirrel?1567
fellow creature1572
Adamite1581
bloat herringa1586
earthling1593
mother's child1594
stuff1598
a piece of flesh1600
wagtail1607
bosom1608
fragment1609
boots1623
tick1631
worthy1649
earthlies1651
snap1653
pippin1665
being1666
personal1678
personality1678
sooterkin1680
party1686
worldling1687
human being1694
water-wagtail1694
noddle1705
human subject1712
piece of work1713
somebody1724
terrestrial1726
anybody1733
individual1742
character1773
cuss1775
jig1781
thingy1787
bod1788
curse1790
his nabs1790
article1796
Earthite1814
critter1815
potato1815
personeityc1816
nibs1821
somebody1826
tellurian1828
case1832
tangata1840
prawn1845
nigger1848
nut1856
Snooks1860
mug1865
outfit1867
to deliver the goods1870
hairpin1879
baby1880
possum1894
hot tamale1895
babe1900
jobbie1902
virile1903
cup of tea1908
skin1914
pisser1918
number1919
job1927
apple1928
mush1936
face1944
jong1956
naked ape1965
oke1970
punter1975
the mind > emotion > compassion > quality of exciting pity > [noun] > pitiable person
wretcha1500
foolc1525
elf1573
poor hearta1600
pilgarlic1694
perisher1896
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxxiii. 683 He that was full fierce and prowde hadde shame to iuste with so litill a wrecche.
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. iii. 46 The pretie wretch left crying, and said I. View more context for this quotation
1599 N. Breton Miseries Mavillia ii With these last words, Farewell good mistresse, the good poore wretch..gave up the ghost.
1599 N. Breton Scholler & Souldiour 30 Oh 'tis a heavenly noise to heare the sweete wretch [= the nightingale].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 91 Excellent wretch, perdition catch my soule, But I doe loue thee. View more context for this quotation
1663 S. Pepys Diary 25 May (1971) IV. 155 She being a good-natured and painful wretch.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. vii. 34 Had you exposed the little Wretch in the Manner of some inhuman Mothers. View more context for this quotation
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 12 He whistles as he goes, light-hearted wretch, Cold and yet cheerful.
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 13 Swift as the radiant shapes of sleep From one whose dreams are Paradise Fly, when the fond wretch wakes to weep.
1850 C. Kingsley Alton Locke II. vii. 80 Two little boys hailed us..—two little wretches with blue noses and white cheeks.
1891 S. Mostyn Curatica 85 I see my wife wants me. The poor wretch is terribly jealous.
3.
a. A vile, sorry, or despicable person; one of opprobrious or reprehensible character; a mean or contemptible creature. Also without article.In very frequent use from c1300.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [noun] > state or quality of being contemptible > contemptible person
wormc825
wretchOE
thingOE
hinderlingc1175
harlot?c1225
mixa1300
villain1303
whelpc1330
wonnera1340
bismera1400
vilec1400
beasta1425
creaturec1450
dog bolt1465
fouling?a1475
drivel1478
shit1508
marmoset1523
mammeta1529
pilgarlica1529
pode1528
slave1537
slim1548
skit-brains?1553
grasshopper1556
scavenger1563
old boss1566
rag1566
shrub1566
ketterela1572
shake-rag1571
skybala1572
mumpsimus1573
smatchetc1582
squib1586
scabship1589
vassal1589
baboon1592
Gibraltar1593
polecat1593
mushroom1594
nodc1595
cittern-head1598
nit1598
stockfish1598
cum-twang1599
dish-wash1599
pettitoe1599
mustard-token1600
viliaco1600
cargo1602
stump1602
snotty-nose1604
sprat1605
wormling1605
brock1607
dogfly?1611
shag-rag1611
shack-rag1612
thrum1612
rabbita1616
fitchock1616
unworthy1616
baseling1618
shag1620
glow-worm1624
snip1633
the son of a worm1633
grousea1637
shab1637
wormship1648
muckworm1649
whiffler1659
prig1679
rotten egg1686
prigster1688
begged fool1693
hang-dog1693
bugger1694
reptile1697
squinny1716
snool1718
ramscallion1734
footer1748
jackass1756
hallion1789
skite1790
rattlesnake1791
snot1809
mudworm1814
skunk1816
stirrah1816
spalpeen1817
nyaff1825
skin1825
weed1825
tiger1827
beggar1834
despicability1837
squirt1844
prawn1845
shake1846
white mouse1846
scurf1851
sweep1853
cockroach1856
bummer1857
medlar1859
cunt1860
shuck1862
missing link1863
schweinhund1871
creepa1876
bum1882
trashbag1886
tinhorn1887
snot-rag1888
rodent1889
whelpling1889
pie eatera1891
mess1891
schmuck1892
fucker1893
cheapskate1894
cocksucker1894
gutter-bird1896
perisher1896
skate1896
schmendrick1897
nyamps1900
ullage1901
fink1903
onion1904
punk1904
shitepoke1905
tinhorn sport1906
streeler1907
zob1911
stink1916
motherfucker1918
Oscar1918
shitass1918
shit-face1923
tripe-hound1923
gimp1924
garbage can1925
twerp1925
jughead1926
mong1926
fuck?1927
arsehole1928
dirty dog1928
gazook1928
muzzler1928
roach1929
shite1929
mook1930
lug1931
slug1931
woodchuck1931
crud1932
dip1932
bohunkus1933
lint-head1933
Nimrod1933
warb1933
fuck-piga1935
owl-hoot1934
pissant1935
poot1935
shmegegge1937
motheree1938
motorcycle1938
squiff1939
pendejo1940
snotnose1941
jerkface1942
slag1943
yuck1943
fuckface?1945
fuckhead?1945
shit-head1945
shite-hawk1948
schlub1950
asswipe1953
mother1955
weenie1956
hard-on1958
rass hole1959
schmucko1959
bitch ass1961
effer1961
lamer1961
arsewipe1962
asshole1962
butthole1962
cock1962
dipshit1963
motherfuck1964
dork1965
bumhole1967
mofo1967
tosspot1967
crudball1968
dipstick1968
douche1968
frickface1968
schlong1968
fuckwit1969
rassclaat1969
ass1970
wank1970
fecker1971
wanker1971
butt-fucker1972
slimeball1972
bloodclaat1973
fuckwad1974
mutha1974
suck1974
cocksuck1977
tosser1977
plank1981
sleazebag1981
spastic1981
dweeb1982
bumboclaat1983
dickwad1983
scuzzbag1983
sleazeball1983
butt-face1984
dickweed1984
saddie1985
butt plug1986
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
microcephalic1989
wankstain1990
sadster1992
buttmunch1993
fanny1995
jackhole1996
fassyhole1997
fannybaws2000
fassy2002
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [noun] > baseness or moral vileness > person
wretchOE
filthOE
birdc1300
villain1303
caitiffc1330
crachouna1400
crathona1400
custronc1400
sloven?a1475
smaik?1507
rook?a1513
scavenger1563
scald1575
peasant1581
scaba1592
bezonian1592
slave1592
patchcock1596
muckworm1649
blackguard1732
ramscallion1734
nasty1825
cad1838
boundera1889
three-letter man1929
α.
β. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. x. 78 Þe wrecches [Camb. MS. wrycches] of þis worlde is none ywar bi other.c1440 York Myst. xxxi. 360 If any wight with þis wriche any werse wate werkis.c1450 Mirk's Festial i. 2 He ys not but a wryche and slyme of erth.γ. 1572 R. Sempill Lament. Commounis Scotl. (single sheet) Consume this wratche with Brintstane.OE Cynewulf Juliana 351 Hyre se feond oncwæð, wræcca wærleas, wordum mælde.
c1230 Hali Meid. 47 Þu prokest me to forgulten,..& waldes warpe me as wrecche i þi leirwite.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1074 Ðat folc vn-seli,..Ðo sori wrecches of yuel blod.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 25 Þus him ioisseþ and him glorifieþ þe wreche ine his herte.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 169 I wolde be wreken on þis wrecches þat worchen so ille.
1402 T. Hoccleve Let. of Cupid 310 The feythles wrechch how hath he him for-swore.
a1450 Medit. Life & Pass. Christ 1139 Wiþ rugged nayles þe wrecches wode Nailed him hard to þe rode.
a1555 J. Careless in M. Coverdale Certain Lett. Martyrs (1564) 230 Vnto me moste vile, sinnefull, wicked and vnworthy wretch.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 337 These wretches entred into the Princesse Chamber, and brake her head.
1617 J. Taylor Three Weekes Obseruations C 4 b [They] were amazed at the ingratitude of the wretch.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 104 The perfidious wretch Theseus abandoned the poor Ariadne.
1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. i. 37 Wretch that I am! how have I liv'd as without God in the World.
1781 W. Cowper Table Talk 30 Let eternal infamy pursue The wretch to nought but his ambition true.
1805 J. Turnbull Voy. World (1813) xvii. 212 The wickedness of the wretch who would import a cargo of spirituous liquors into the..Society Islands.
1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! xxix If I be wretch enough to give place to the devil.
1883 D. C. Murray Hearts xi What wretches men were, to be sure!
b. Used as a term of opprobrious address.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > inferior person > [noun] > as abused
warlockOE
swinec1175
beastc1225
wolf's-fista1300
avetrolc1300
congeonc1300
dirtc1300
slimec1315
snipec1325
lurdanc1330
misbegetc1330
sorrowa1350
shrew1362
jordan1377
wirlingc1390
frog?a1400
warianglea1400
wretcha1400
horcop14..
turdc1400
callet1415
lotterela1450
paddock?a1475
souter1478
chuff?a1500
langbain?c1500
cockatrice1508
sow1508
spink1508
wilrone1508
rook?a1513
streaker?a1513
dirt-dauber?1518
marmoset1523
babiona1529
poll-hatcheta1529
bear-wolf1542
misbegotten1546
pig1546
excrement1561
mamzer1562
chuff-cat1563
varlet1566
toada1568
mandrake1568
spider1568
rat1571
bull-beef1573
mole-catcher1573
suppository1573
curtal1578
spider-catcher1579
mongrela1585
roita1585
stickdirta1585
dogfish1589
Poor John1589
dog's facec1590
tar-boxa1592
baboon1592
pot-hunter1592
venom1592
porcupine1594
lick-fingers1595
mouldychaps1595
tripe1595
conundrum1596
fat-guts1598
thornback1599
land-rat1600
midriff1600
stinkardc1600
Tartar1600
tumbril1601
lobster1602
pilcher1602
windfucker?1602
stinker1607
hog rubber1611
shad1612
splay-foot1612
tim1612
whit1612
verdugo1616
renegado1622
fish-facea1625
flea-trapa1625
hound's head1633
mulligrub1633
nightmare1633
toad's-guts1634
bitch-baby1638
shagamuffin1642
shit-breech1648
shitabed1653
snite1653
pissabed1672
bastard1675
swab1687
tar-barrel1695
runt1699
fat-face1740
shit-sack1769
vagabond1842
shick-shack1847
soor1848
b1851
stink-pot1854
molie1871
pig-dog1871
schweinhund1871
wind-sucker1880
fucker1893
cocksucker1894
wart1896
so-and-so1897
swine-hound1899
motherfucker1918
S.O.B.1918
twat1922
mong1926
mucker1929
basket1936
cowson1936
zombie1936
meatball1937
shower1943
chickenshit1945
mugger1945
motherferyer1946
hooer1952
morpion1954
mother1955
mother-raper1959
louser1960
effer1961
salaud1962
gunk1964
scunge1967
a1400 Sir Beues (A.) 1033 Brademond, olde wreche,..Ertow come Iosiane to feche?
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 4005 ‘A! wriches!’ quod þe wale kyng,..‘Eftir þe deth of ȝour duke quat deynes ȝowe to stryue?’
c1430 Chev. Assigne 71 A, kowarde of kynde,..& combred wrecche!
1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus Comedye of Acolastus iv. v. sig. Vjv Thou wretched person,..thou wretche that thou art.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear ix. 51 Tremble thou wretch . View more context for this quotation
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 108 Wretch!..look back upon a dreadful mis-spent Life.
1810 G. Crabbe Borough xxii. 308 Wretch, dost thou repent?
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci i. iii. 16 Thou wretch! Will none among this noble company Check the abandoned villain?
c. Used without serious imputation of bad qualities.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > inferior person > [noun]
lowerc1175
nethererc1443
inferior?1504
puny1579
under-being1587
puisne1592
subaltern1605
little sistera1634
undermatcha1661
wretch1688
sub-man1840
missing link1863
small-timer1910
1688 M. Prior Ode Exod. iii. 14 vii Levelling at God his wand'ring Guess..Laws to his Maker the learn'd Wretch can give.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 162 Her ‘wretch of a husband’, as she inwardly called him.
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. i. viii. 159 A wretch of a pedant who knows all about tetrameters.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [noun] > niggard or mean person > miser or hoarder of wealth
chinch?a1300
wretch1303
chincher1333
muckererc1390
mokerarda1400
muglard1440
gatherer?a1513
hoarder?a1513
warner1513
hardhead1519
snudge1545
cob1548
snidge1548
muckmonger1566
mucker1567
miser?1577
scrape-penny1584
money-miser1586
gromwell-gainer1588
muckscrape1589
muckworm1598
scrib1600
muckraker1601
morkin-gnoff1602
scrape-scall1602
incubo1607
accumulator1611
gripe-money1611
scrape-good1611
silver-hider1611
gripe1621
scrapeling1629
clutch1630
scrape-pelfa1640
volpone1672
spare-penny1707
save-all1729
bagger1740
spare-thrift1803
money-codger1818
hunger-rot1828
muckrake1850
muckthrift1852
gripe-penny1860
hugger-mugger1862
Scrooge1940
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 6203 Þe wrecche saw hys tresoure sperd, And sette hym up yn hys bedde.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 188 Uor to ssette þe porses of þe wrechchen þet hi ne ssolle by open to do elmesse.
c1386 G. Chaucer Melibeus ⁋634 Vse..thy richesses..that men haue no..cause to calle thee neiþer wrecche ne chynche.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 63 Be nocht a wreche nor skerche in ȝour spending.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid viii. Prol. 53 The wrache walis and wringis for this warldis wrak.
1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus Comedye of Acolastus ii. i. sig. Hiijv Snayles..all the wynter season kepe theym within their shelles, lyuynge lyke a wretche.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 318 All wratchis may tak example be this man nocht to hurd vp thair siluir.
a1646 D. Wedderburn Vocabula (1685) 23 Est valde avarus, he is a great wretch.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > paltry, mean, or contemptible
wretch?a1300
flea1388
figc1450
figo1589
fico1598
paltering1611
fig's enda1616
mockado1740
two pennyworth1851
?a1300 Prov. Hendyng 202 Þis worldes loue ys a wrecche.
B. adj.† 1. Of persons: Poor; miserable; deeply afflicted; = wretched adj. 1. Obsolete.† 2. Of conditions, etc.: = wretched adj. 2. Obsolete.† 3. Despicable; vile; reprehensible. Obsolete.† 4. Of a paltry character; = wretched adj. 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > miserable or wretched
un-i-selieOE
drearyOE
unseelyOE
wretcha1122
usellc1175
unselea1200
wretcheda1200
misease?c1225
un-i-sele?c1250
wanlichec1275
miseasyc1300
wrackfulc1311
unblessed1340
wretchfula1382
wretchedful1382
caitiff1393
loddera1400
unhappena1400
pilledc1400
miserable?c1422
vengeablec1430
unhappyc1440
meschant?1473
miserousc1475
unselc1480
miser1542
forlorn1582
villainous1582
skybala1585
unblestful1608
despicable1635
haveless1868
the mind > emotion > suffering > misery > [adjective]
armlyeOE
un-i-selieOE
unledeeOE
unseelyOE
armOE
wretcha1122
unselea1200
wretcheda1200
wretchlyc1200
misease?c1225
wanlichec1275
miseasyc1300
wansomea1325
simplec1330
wretchfula1382
wretchedful1382
caitiff1393
loddera1400
desolate14..
disconsolatea1425
meschant?1473
miserousc1475
miser1542
unvisited1548
tribulate1575
happiless1582
uncomforted1583
blisslessa1586
uncomfortless1598
miserablea1616
thrallfula1618
calamitous1668
tribulated1682
donsie?1719
unsolaced1796
mis1939
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1083 Þa wreccan munecas lagon onbuton þam weofode.
1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1137 Wrecce men sturuen of hungær.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 125 Alswa baldeliche mei þe wrechesta mon clepian drihtan him to federe.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3268 What-se hæfde richedom he hine makede wræcche mon [c1300 Otho wrecche].
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4187 Alas þou wrecche mon, woch mesaunture Aþ þe ybroȝt in to þis stede.
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 4811 Sche was a wriche wiman Þat michel sorwe so was an.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville (Add. MS.) De Proprietatibus Rerum vi. xiii No man is more wrecche noþir haþ more woo..þan he þat hath an yuel wif.
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy iii. 4151 Allas! I, woful creature,..I, wreche woman.
c1450 Mirk's Festial i. 47 Þenke how febull and how wrecche he ys, when he ys bore.
1556 J. Olde tr. R. Gwalther Antichrist f. 158 The wretche people thinks they haue holpen a soule.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. ix. sig. Gg6v It is the mynd..That maketh wretch or happie. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > miserable or wretched > full of or attended with misery
wretch1131
wretchlyc1200
woefula1393
miserousc1475
miserable?a1513
miser1542
woe1572
thrallfula1618
the mind > emotion > suffering > misery > [adjective] > of conditions or events
wretch1131
wretchedc1200
feeble1297
wrackfulc1311
woefula1393
miserousc1475
miserable?a1513
discomfortablea1535
calamitous1545
tristsum1567
woe1572
untoward1632
1131 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1131 Crist ræde for þa wrecce muneces of Burch & for þæt wrecce stede.
a1200 in Fragm. Ælfric's Gram., etc. (1838) 5 Þonne biþ þet wræcche lif iended.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4094 Þat we after hor wrecche deþ hor londes auonge.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 949 Wende out of þis louesom lande in-to þe wrecche werlde þou gange.
1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. i. 68 Yet see, ah wretche, and wofull plight,..thy goodnesse to mee farre passeth all masters their seruants.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > [adjective]
theowlikec1175
wickc1175
wretcha1200
lechera1300
vilea1300
feeblea1325
brothely1330
caitiffa1400
roinousa1425
basec1450
harlotry1486
filthy1533
brockish1546
vild1568
tinkerly?1576
scabbed?1577
miscreant1593
unnoble1593
slavish1597
rascally1600
roguish1601
sordidous1602
facinoriousa1616
scullion1658
dirty1670
shabbed1674
shabby1679
scoundrel1681
scabby1712
verminating1720
small1824
low-down1865
verminiferous1895
ragtime1917
ribby1936
raunchy1937
scungy1966
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [adjective] > contemptible
unworthc893
unwrastc893
littleOE
narrow-hearteda1200
wretcha1200
unworthya1240
wretchedc1250
un-i-wrastc1275
bad1276
lechera1300
feeblea1325
despisablea1340
villain1340
contemptiblec1384
lousyc1386
caitiff1393
brothelyc1400
roinousa1425
poor1425
sevenpennyc1475
nasty1477
peakish1519
filthy1533
despectuous1541
beggary1542
scald1542
shitten?1545
disdainfula1547
contemptuous1549
despicable1553
skit-brained?1553
contemniblea1555
vile1560
sluttish1561
queer1567
scornful1570
scallardc1575
tinkerly?1576
worthless1576
beggarly?1577
paltry1578
halfpenny1579
dog bolt1580
pitiful1582
sneaking1582
triobolar1585
wormisha1586
baddy1586
dudgeon1592
measled1596
packstaff1598
roguey1598
roguish1601
contemptful1608
grovelling1608
lightly1608
disdainable1611
purulent1611
snotty-nose1622
vilipendious1630
cittern-headed1638
wormy1640
pissabed1643
triobolary1644
disparageable1648
blue-bellied1652
unestimable1656
scullion1658
piteous1667
dirty1670
shabbed1674
shabby1679
snotty1681
snotty-nosed1682
mucky1683
bollocky1694
scoundrel1700
scaldeda1704
sneaking1703
ficulnean1716
unsolid1731
pitiable1753
scrubby1754
inimitable1798
scrubbish1798
worm-likea1807
small1824
lowlife1827
ketty1828
skunkish1831
yellow-bellied1833
scaly1843
cockroachya1845
wutless1853
nigger1859
trashy1862
low-down1872
cruddy1877
shitty1879
tinhorn1886
blithering1889
motherfucking1890
snidey1890
pilgarlicky1894
shitass1895
shoddy1918
yah boo1921
bitching1929
shit-faced1932
turdish1936
fricking1937
jerk-off1937
chickenshit1940
sheg-up1941
snot-nosed1941
jerky1944
mother-loving1948
scroungy1948
fecking1952
pissant1952
shit-kicking1953
shit-eating1956
bumboclaat1957
rassclaat1957
shit-headed1959
farkakte1960
shithouse1966
daggy1967
dipshit1968
scuzzy1969
bloodclaat1971
bitch ass1972
wanky1972
streelish1974
twatty1975
twattish1976
dweeby1988
douchey1991
wank1991
cockish1996
a1200 Vices & Virtues 103 Kiel mine wreche herte, þe is iattred of his manifealde fondinges.
c1290 Beket 1406 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 146 Ich drede for mine wrechche gultes þat worse worth þe ende.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 9913 Þe wrecche luþer giwes.
c1350 in Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 50 To holi chirche..pes þou sende, And to vs wreche sinful, lif wyt-outen ende.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. III. 33 Sardanapallus was a man more wrecche þan eny womman.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > paltry, mean, or contemptible
unworthlyc1230
wretcha1250
seely1297
vilec1320
not worth a cress (kerse)1377
the value of a rushc1380
threadbarec1412
wretched1450
miserable?a1513
rascal1519
prettya1522
not worth a whistlea1529
pegrall1535
plack1539
pelting1540
scald1542
sleeveless1551
baggage1553
paltering1553
piddling1559
twopenny1560
paltry1565
rubbish1565
baggagely1573
pelfish1577
halfpenny1579
palting1579
baubling1581
three-halfpenny1581
pitiful1582
triobolar1585
squirting1589
not worth a lousea1592
hedge1596
cheap1597
peddling1597
dribbling1600
mean1600
rascally1600
three-farthingc1600
draughty1602
dilute1605
copper1609
peltry?a1610
threepenny1613
pelsy1631
pimping1640
triobolary1644
pigwidgeon1647
dustya1649
fiddling1652
puddlinga1653
insignificant1658
piteous1667
snotty1681
scrubbed1688
dishonourable1699
scrub1711
footy1720
fouty1722
rubbishing1731
chuck-farthing1748
rubbishy1753
shabby1753
scrubby1754
poxya1758
rubbishly1777
waff-like1808
trinkety1817
meanish1831
one-eyed1843
twiddling1844
measly1847
poking1850
picayunish1852
vild1853
picayune1856
snide1859
two-cent1859
rummagy1872
faddling1883
finicking1886
slushy1889
twopence halfpenny1890
jerk1893
pissy1922
crappy1928
two-bit1932
piddly1933
chickenshit1934
pissing1937
penny packet1943
farkakte1960
pony1964
gay1978
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 335 Euer croweþ þi wrecche crey Þat he ne swikeþ nyht ne day.
Compounds
wretch-like adv.
ΚΠ
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) iv. 961 Th' abiect threshold [she] chose Of her faire chamber, for her loth'd repose; And mournd most wretch-like.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
† wretchv.
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To render miserable.
ΘΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > misery > render miserable [verb (transitive)]
discomforta1398
wretcha1513
desolate1530
disconsolate1530
distress1586
unhappy1597
uncomfort1637
infelicitate1654
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. vv Ye fore namyd bisshop of Ely..greued ye Bisshop of Wynchester and wretchyd nygh all ye londe.
2. intransitive. To be or become niggardly or parsimonious. Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > be niggardly or mean [verb (intransitive)]
spare1377
to lick one's knifec1400
chincha1425
pincha1425
stick1533
nig1559
to make pottage of a flintc1576
niggard1596
wretcha1598
niggardize1606
wire-draw1616
screw1820
skincha1825
scrimp1848
stinge1937
to pinch pennies (also a penny)1942
penny-pinch1945
a1598 D. Fergusson Sc. Prov. (1641) sig. A4 As the carle riches he wretches [Kelly (1721) wratches].
1633 W. Struther True Happines 139 As the wretch wretcheth, the more he is enriched.
1853 R. C. Trench On Lessons in Proverbs 104 The more the carle riches he wretches.]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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n.adj.c888
v.a1513