Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WRETCH'ED-NESS, n.

1. Extreme misery or unhappiness either from want or sorrow; as, the wretchedness of poor mendicants. We have, with the feeling, lost the very memory of such wretchedness as our forefathers endured. – Ralegh. The prodigal brought nothing to his father but his rags and wretchedness. – Dwight.
2. Meanness; despicableness; as, the wretchedness of a performance.