Definition

Noun 1. A state of great sorrow, grief, or distress; mental suffering or anguish. This is the primary meaning, denoting deep emotional pain. 2. (Archaic or Literary) Physical pain or suffering. This sense is now rare and mostly found in older or poetic texts.

Usage

The word "dolor" is a formal, literary term. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in poetry, classic literature, and formal writing to convey a profound sense of sorrow.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She bore her dolor with quiet dignity after the loss.
  • The poem expresses the profound dolor of unrequited love.
  • (Archaic) He spoke of the dolor in his wounded arm.

Advanced Usage

• "Dolorous" (Adjective): Full of or expressing sorrow or grief; mournful.
  • She let out a dolorous sigh.
• "Indolence" (Noun): While not a direct variant, this word shares the Latin root (to grieve or suffer). "Indolence" originally meant "freedom from pain," which evolved to mean "laziness" or "avoidance of activity."

Variants and Related Words

• Dolour: This is the chiefly British English spelling of "dolor." The meanings are identical.
• Dolorous (adj.): Causing or expressing grief or sorrow.
• Condolence (n.): An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death. (From Latin (with) + ).

Synonyms

• Sorrow: A feeling of deep distress caused by loss or disappointment.
• Grief: Intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death.
• Anguish: Severe mental or physical pain or suffering.
• Heartache: Emotional anguish or distress.
• Woe: Great sorrow or distress.

Antonyms

• Joy: A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
• Bliss: Perfect happiness; great joy.
• Elation: Great happiness and exhilaration.
• Jubilation: A feeling of great happiness and triumph.

Noun

1. (poetry) painful grief