Mi"ser*y (?), n.; pl. Miseries (#). [OE. miserie, L. miseria, fr. miser wretched: cf. F. misere, OF. also, miserie.]
1.
Great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind; wretchedness; distress; woe.
Chaucer.
Destruction and misery are in their ways.
Rom. iii. 16.
2.
Cause of misery; calamity; misfortune.
When we our betters see bearing our woes,
We scarcely think our miseries our foes.
Shak.
3.
Covetousness; niggardliness; avarice.
[Obs.]
Syn. -- Wretchedness; torture; agony; torment; anguish; distress; calamity; misfortune.
© Webster 1913.