Dictionary entry

Wretched

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Wretch″ed, a. 1. Very miserable; sunk in, or accompanied by, deep affliction or distress, as from want, anxiety, or grief; calamitous; woeful; very afflicting. “To what wretched state reserved!” Milton.

O cruel! Death! to those you are more kind

Than to the wretched mortals left behind. Waller.

2. Worthless; paltry; very poor or mean; miserable; as, a wretched poem; a wretched cabin.

3. Hatefully contemptible; despicable; wicked. “Wretched ungratefulness.” Sir P. Sidney.

Nero reigned after this Claudius, of all men wretchedest, ready to all manner vices. Capgrave.