Main Entry:

gris·ly

Pronunciation:

\ˈgriz-lē\

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

gris·li·er; gris·li·est

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English grislic, from gris- (akin to Old English āgrīsan to fear); akin to Old High German grīsenlīh terrible

Date:

12th century

1 : inspiring horror or intense fear <houses that were dark and grisly under the blank, cold sky — D. H. Lawrence> 2 : inspiring disgust or distaste <a grisly account of the fire>

synonyms see ghastly

— gris·li·ness noun