horrible

Definition

A thing that causes horror; a terrifying thing, particularly a prospective bad consequence asserted as likely to result from an act.

Etymology

First attested in Middle English (alternately as horrible and orrible) in 1303: from Old French horrible, orrible, orible, from Latin horribilis, from horr(ēre) (“tremble”) + -ibilis (“-ible”).

Example Sentences

• "Here's a carcase. I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing. Such a waggish leering as lurks in all your horribles!"
• "A lot of the possible horribles conjured up by the people objecting to this convention ignore the plain language of this treaty."
• "The pot had previously simmered skate wings, cods' heads, whales, pigs' hearts and a long litany of other horribles."