Main Entry: grief

Pronunciation: \ˈgrēf\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English gref, from Anglo-French gref, grief injustice, calamity, from gref, adjective heavy, grievous, from Vulgar Latin *grevis, alteration of Latin gravis

Date: 15th century

1 obsolete : grievance 3
2 a : deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement b : a cause of such suffering
3 a : an unfortunate outcome : disaster —used chiefly in the phrase come to grief b : mishap, misadventure c : trouble, annoyance <enough grief for one day> d : annoying or playful criticism <getting grief from his friends>

synonyms see sorrow