Wretch (rĕtch), n.

(rĕtch), n. [A-S. wrecca, wrǣcca, an exile, a wretch, wrǣc, wrǣcc, exiled, wretched, wrǣc, exile, evil, O. Sax. wrekki, Icel. räkr, rekr, O. H. Ger. wrechio, wreh, an exile.]

1Sense 1. A miserable person; one profoundly unhappy. “The wretch that lies in woe.” Shak.

Hoverèd thy spirit o’er thy sorrowing son, Wretch even then, life’s journey just begun? Cooper.

2Sense 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 frightened so.” Drayton.