orc

views updated May 14 2018

orc in fantasy literature and games, a member of an imaginary race of human-like creatures, characterized as ugly, warlike, and malevolent. The word (denoting an ogre) is recorded from the late 16th century, perhaps from Latin orcus ‘hell’ or Italian orco ‘demon, monster’, influenced by obsolete orc ‘ferocious sea creature’ and by Old English orcneas ‘monsters’. The current sense is due to the use of the word in Tolkien's fantasy adventures. See also ogre.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

orc

views updated May 23 2018

orc †ferocious (sea-)monster; cetacean of the genus Orca. XVI. — F. orque or L. orca kind of whale — Gr. óruga, acc. of órux ORYX.

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

ORC

views updated Jun 08 2018

ORC (USA) Officers' Reserve Corps
• Overseas Research Council

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH