wretch

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An unhappy, unfortunate, or miserable person.

   The poor wretch, who lay motionless a long time, just began to recover his senses as a stage-coach came by.

2. 2
   noun

   An unpleasant, annoying, worthless, or despicable person.

   Swear to me but, thou bold wretch! said she, swear to me, that Pamela Andrews is really and truly thy lawful wife, without sham, without deceit, without double-meaning; and I know what I have to say!

3. 3
   noun

   someone you feel sorry for

4. 4
   noun

   performs some wicked deed

From Middle English wrecche, from Old English wreċċa (“exile, outcast”), from Proto-Germanic *wrakjô (“exile, fugitive, warrior”), from Proto-Indo-European *wreg- (“to track, follow”). Doublet of garçon.

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