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dire

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

dire

Main Entry:: dire
Pronunciation:: \ˈdī(-ə)r\
Function:: adjective
Inflected Form(s):: dir·er; dir·est
Etymology:: Latin dirus; akin to Greek deinos terrifying, Sanskrit dveṣṭi he hates
Date:: 1565

1 a: exciting horror <dire suffering> b: dismal, oppressive <dire days>2: warning of disaster <a dire forecast>3 a: desperately urgent <dire need> b: extreme <dire poverty>

— dire·ly adverb

— dire·ness noun

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