ghastly

Definition

Like a ghost in appearance; death-like; pale; pallid; dismal.

Etymology

From a conflation of gastly, from Middle English gastly, from gasten (from Old English gǣstan (“to torment, frighten”)) + -ly, and ghostly (which was also spelt gastlich in Middle English). Equivalent to ghast/gast + -ly. Spelling with gh developed in the 16th century due to the conflation.

Example Sentences

• "Each turned his face with a ghastly pang."
• "His face was so ghastly that it could scarcely be recognized."
• ""My men grow mutinous day by day; / My men grow ghastly wan and weak." / The stout mate thought of home; a spray / Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek."