GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   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.]
   1913 Webster
   A miserable person; one profoundly unhappy.  “The wretch that lies in woe.”  
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   Hovered thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing son,
   Wretch even then, life's journey just begun?
   Cowper.
   
   1913 Webster
   One sunk in vice or degradation; a base, despicable person; a vile knave; as, a profligate wretch.
   1913 Webster
   ☞ 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.
   
   1913 Webster