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Dire

//ˈdaɪ̯ə(ɹ)// adj, name, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Warning of bad consequences: ill-boding; portentous.

    "dire omens"

  2. 2
    Requiring action to prevent bad consequences: urgent, pressing.

    "dire need (of)"

  3. 3
    Expressing bad consequences: dreadful; dismal.

    "dire consequences;  to be in dire straits"

  4. 4
    Bad in quality, awful, terrible. informal

    "His dire blunder allowed her to checkmate him with her next move."

  5. 5
    Ferocious and of intimidating appearance, like a dire wolf.
Adjective
  1. 1
    causing fear or dread or terror wordnet
  2. 2
    fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless wordnet
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin dīrus (“fearful, ominous”).

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