Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - grief

 noun  Etymology: Middle English gref, from Anglo-French gref, ~ injustice, calamity, from gref, adjective heavy, grievous, from Vulgar Latin *grevis, alteration of Latin gravis  Date: 15th century  1. obsolete grievance 3  2.  a. deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement  b. a cause of such suffering  3.  a. an unfortunate outcome ; disaster — used chiefly in the phrase come to ~  b. mishap, misadventure  c. trouble, annoyance enough ~ for one day  d. annoying or playful criticism getting ~ from his friends  Synonyms: see sorrow