are concentrated on something beyond;
_oversight_ has thus two contrasted senses, in the latter sense denoting
inadvertent error or omission, and in the former denoting watchful
_supervision_, commonly implying constant personal presence;
_superintendence_ requires only so much of presence or communication as
to know that the superintendent's wishes are carried out; the
superintendent of a railroad will personally oversee very few of its
operations; the railroad company has supreme _direction_ of all its
affairs without _superintendence_ or _oversight_. _Control_ is used
chiefly with reference to restraint or the power of restraint; a good
horseman has a restless horse under perfect _control_; there is no high
character without self-_control_. _Surveillance_ is an invidious term
signifying watching with something of suspicion. Compare CARE; NEGLECT.

* * * * *

PAIN.

Synonyms:

ache, distress, suffering, torture,
agony, pang, throe, twinge,
anguish, paroxysm, torment, wo(e).

_Pain_ is the most general term of this group, including all the others;
_pain_ is a disturbing sensation from which nature revolts, resulting
from some injurious external interference (as from a wound, a bruise, a
harsh word, etc.), or from some lack of what one needs, craves, or
cherishes (as, the _pain_ of hunger or bereavement), or from some
abnormal action of bodily or mental functions (as, the _pains_ of
disease, envy, or discontent). _Suffering_ is one of the severer forms
of _pain_. The prick of a needle causes _pain_, but we should scarcely
speak of it as _suffering_. _Distress_ is too strong a word for little
hurts, too feeble for the intensest _suffering_, but commonly applied to
some continuous or prolonged trouble or need; as, the _distress_ of a
shipwrecked crew, or of a destitute family. _Ache_ is lingering _pain_,
more or less severe; _pang_, a _pain_ short, sharp, intense, and perhaps
repeated. We speak of the _pangs_ of hunger or of remorse. _Throe_ is a
violent and thrilling _pain_. _Paroxysm_ applies to an alternately
recurring and receding _pain_, which comes as it were in waves; the
_paroxysm_ is the rising of the wave. _Torment_ and _torture_ are
intense and terrible _sufferings_. _Agony_ and _anguish_ express the
utmost _pain_ or _suffering_ of body or mind. _Agony_ of body is that
with which the system struggles; _anguish_ that by which it is crushed.