A german word

[janeevans]

Which German word describes the anxiety arising from the uncertainty of the human condition?

[Quizmonster]

Weltschmerz, perhaps? If it's for a crossword, maybe you could tell us how many letters there are and whether you've already got any of them.

[Muggle]

I think the word you're looking for is angst.

[silly moo]

?? angst ??

[silly moo]

1944, from Ger. Angst "neurotic fear, anxiety, guilt, remorse" from O.H.G. angust, from the root of anger (q.v.). George Eliot used it (in Ger.) in 1849, and it was popularized in Eng. by translation of Freud's work, but as a foreign word until 1940s. O.E. had a cognate word, angsumnes "anxiety," but it died out.