Violent contest or striving.

Pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in Greece; and hence, extreme pain of mind or body; anguish; paroxysm of grief; specifically, the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.

Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.

Not suffering for its own sake, but the stuff of the agon. More is better.