WRETCH • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Wretch

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noun

Wretch n.

A miserable person; one profoundly unhappy. "The wretch that lies in woe." "Hovered thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing son, Wretch even then, life's journey just begun?"

One sunk in vice or degradation; a base, despicable person; a vile knave; as, a profligate wretch. Note: Wretch is sometimes used by way of slight or ironical pity or contempt, and sometimes to express tenderness; as we say, poor thing. "Poor wretch was never frighted so."

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Etymology of 'Wretch'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Wretch" Quotes from Famous Books

... girl in London. Drunk with gin, she killed her lover in a fit of jealousy. The lover was a wretch of whom the London police are well quit, and this woman was packed off to Paris for a time to let the matter blow over. The hussy was well brought up—the daughter of a clergyman. She speaks French as if it were her mother tongue. She does not know, and never will know, why she is here. ...

— Scenes from a Courtesan's Life • Honore de Balzac

... a fresh flood of tears. "A wretch, a miser. You are unworthy, sir, to be linked to a family from whom Germain takes his gentlemanly qualities. Had he nothing but you in him, he would be a grovelling clod-hopper to-day instead ...

— The False Chevalier - or, The Lifeguard of Marie Antoinette • William Douw Lighthall

... people like me. I don't try to make them, and it worries me if I don't care for them, though Jo says I haven't got any heart. Now I know Mother will shake her head, and the girls say, "Oh, the mercenary little wretch!", but I've made up my mind, and if Fred asks me, I shall accept him, though I'm not madly in love. I like him, and we get on comfortably together. He is handsome, young, clever enough, and very rich—ever so much richer than the Laurences. I don't ...

— Little Women • Louisa May Alcott

... I should like it so much!' said Lucy; 'and now,' turning away as usual from sentiment, 'what shall I say to Mrs. Bostock? What a wretch she will think me! I must go over and see all those children once more. I hope I shall have a worthy successor, poor little rogues. I must rouse myself ...

— Hopes and Fears - scenes from the life of a spinster • Charlotte M. Yonge

... exclaimed, "I didn't—couldn't—wouldn't—" and, unable to ejaculate further, she fairly ran out of the apartment into the entry, where she nearly fell over Charlie, who was enjoying the confusion his conduct had created. "Oh! you limb!—you little wretch!" said she. "You knew I was ...

— The Garies and Their Friends • Frank J. Webb

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