atrocious

views updated May 21 2018

a·tro·cious / əˈtrōshəs/ • adj. horrifyingly wicked: atrocious cruelties. ∎  of a very poor quality; extremely bad or unpleasant: atrocious weather.DERIVATIVES: a·tro·cious·ly adv.a·tro·cious·ness n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

atrocious

views updated May 29 2018

atrocious XVII. f. L. atrōx, atrōc- terrible, fierce, etc., f. āter black + oc-, stem of oculus EYE; see -IOUS and cf. F. atroce.
So atrocity XVI. — (O)F. or L.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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