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