pang

Pang, n.

Etymology: [Prob. for older prange. Cf. Prong.]

A paroxysm of extreme pain or anguish; a sudden and transitory agony; a throe; as, the pangs of death.

Syn. -- Agony; anguish; distress. See Agony.

1 other Webster entry under this spelling

Pang, v. t.

To torture; to cause to have great pain or suffering; to torment. [R.] Shak.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for pang; he lists it under pain.

Where he writes about it:

Ache is lingering pain, more or less severe; pang, a pain short, sharp, intense, and perhaps repeated. — from pain