pain \pain\ (p[=a]n), n. [OE. peine, F. peine, fr. L. poena,
penalty, punishment, torment, pain; akin to Gr. poinh`
penalty. Cf. Penal, Pine to languish, Punish.]
1. Punishment suffered or denounced; suffering or evil
inflicted as a punishment for crime, or connected with the
commission of a crime; penalty. --Chaucer.
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We will, by way of mulct or pain, lay it upon him.
--Bacon.
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Interpose, on pain of my displeasure. --Dryden.
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None shall presume to fly, under pain of death.
--Addison.
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2. Any uneasy sensation in animal bodies, from slight
uneasiness to extreme distress or torture, proceeding from
a derangement of functions, disease, or injury by
violence; bodily distress; bodily suffering; an ache; a
smart. "The pain of Jesus Christ." --Chaucer.
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Note: Pain may occur in any part of the body where sensory
nerves are distributed, and it is always due to some
kind of stimulation of them. The sensation is generally
interpreted as originating at the peripheral end of the
nerve.
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3. pl. Specifically, the throes or travail of childbirth.
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She bowed herself and travailed, for her pains came
upon her. --1 Sam. iv.
19.
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4. Uneasiness of mind; mental distress; disquietude; anxiety;
grief; solicitude; anguish. Also called mental pain.
--Chaucer.
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In rapture as in pain. --Keble.
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5. See Pains, labor, effort.
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Bill of pains and penalties. See under Bill.
To die in the pain, to be tortured to death. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
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