Wres"tle, v. t. To wrestle with; to seek to throw down as in wrestling.
Wres"tle, n. A struggle between two persons to see which will throw the
other down; a bout at wrestling; a wrestling match; a struggle.
Whom in a wrestle the giant catching aloft, with a terrible hug broke
three of his ribs.
Milton.
Wres"tler (?), n. [AS. wrstlere.] One who wrestles; one who is skillful
in wrestling.
Wretch (?), n. [OE. wrecche, AS. wrecca, wræcca, an exile, a wretch,
fr. wrecan to drive out, punish; properly, an exile, one driven out,
akin to AS. wræc an exile, OS. wrekkio a stranger, OHG. reccheo an
exile. See Wreak, v. t.]
1. A miserable person; one profoundly unhappy. "The wretch that lies in
woe." Shak.
Hovered thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing son, Wretch even then, life's
journey just begun?
Cowper.
2. One sunk in vice or degradation; a base, despicable person; a vile
knave; as, a profligate wretch.
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." Drayton.
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. [Obs.] "Wretched
ungratefulness." Sir P. Sidney.
Nero reigned after this Claudius, of all men wretchedest, ready to all
manner [of] vices.
Capgrave.
Wretch"ed*ly, adv. In a wretched manner; miserably; despicable.
Wretch"ed*ness, n. 1. The quality or state of being wretched; utter
misery. Sir W. Raleigh.