the.com/pang
the tiny stab of feeling that arrives uninvited and leaves a bruise
means a sudden sharp sensation, usually of emotional pain like guilt, hunger, or longing, that hits quickly and fades.
from English from around the 15th century, of obscure origin — it may be a variant of the older 'prange' or 'prong,' carrying the idea of a pinch or piercing, but the trail goes cold and no one can say for certain where this little sting came from.
- origin
- Likely from prong, a sudden piercing point
- hunger ally
- Stomach contractions trigger real hunger pangs
- emotional too
- Guilt, regret, and longing all come in pangs
- surname
- Common Chinese family name worldwide
- brevity
- Pangs are sharp but never last long
for instance
pang of hunger — physiological sensation described in medical literature as acute gastric distress
pang of conscience — emotional experience documented in psychology as moral regret or guilt