2. One sunk in vice or degradation; a base, despicable person; a vile knave; as, a profligate wretch.
Note: 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.
WRETCHED
Wretch"ed, a.
1. Very miserable; sunk in, or accompanied by, deep affliction or distress, as from want, anxiety, or grief; calamitous; woeful; very afflicting. "To what wretched state reserved!" Milton. O cruel! Death! to those you are more kind Than to the wretched mortals left behind. Waller. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore . . .
2. Worthless; paltry; very poor or mean; miserable; as, a wretched poem; a wretched cabin.
3. Hatefully contemptible; despicable; wicked. [Obs.] "Wretched ungratefulness." Sir P. Sidney. Nero reigned after this Claudius, of all men wretchedest, ready to all manner [of] vices. Capgrave.
WRETCHEDLY
Wretch"ed*ly, adv.
Defn: In a wretched manner; miserably; despicable.
WRETCHEDNESS
Wretch"ed*ness, n.
1. The quality or state of being wretched; utter misery. Sir W. Raleigh.