dismal etymology

Etymology

The word "dismal" originates from the Old French word "dismaler," meaning "to sever" or "to remove." It is thought to have derived from the Latin word "dismembrare," meaning "to tear apart."

Meaning

The primary meaning of "dismal" is related to sorrow or gloom. It can be used to describe a situation, event, or atmosphere that is:

  • Sad or depressing
  • Bleak or gloomy
  • Hopeless or discouraging

Origin

The word "dismal" was first used in the English language in the 14th century. It initially referred to the dismemberment of a limb or body part. Over time, the meaning evolved to become more abstract, referring to the severe physical or emotional pain associated with dismemberment. By the 16th century, "dismal" had acquired its current meaning of "very sad or depressing."

Examples

Here are some examples of how the word "dismal" is used:

  • "The rainy weather cast a dismal pall over the city."
  • "The news of the natural disaster was dismal."
  • "Her life had been a series of dismal failures."

dismal relate terms

  • adieu

    Etymology French from late Latin ad deo meaning to God literally at God s comman

  • adios

    Etymology Spanish from a phrase meaning may God be with you Meaning Used as an

  • adjourn

    Etymology The word adjourn is derived from the Latin word adiornare meaning to post

  • Asmodeus

    Etymology Greek Ασμοδαῖος Asmodaios Meaning Demon of wrath or Demo

  • circadian

    Etymology and Origin The term circadian is derived from Latin Circa about appr

  • deific

    Etymology Deific comes from the Latin word deificus which is derived from two root

  • deify

    Etymology deify v from Latin deificare from deus god facere to make Meaning

  • deism

    Etymology and Meaning of Deism Etymology From Ancient Greek theos god ism Liter

  • deity

    Etymology Deity derives from the Latin word deitas which means godhood divinenes

  • deodand

    Etymology The word deodand is derived from two Latin words Deo dative of Deus to

  • deva

    Etymology The word deva comes from the Proto Indo European root deiwos meaning god o

  • dial

    Etymology The word dial comes from the Middle English word dialle which in turn come

  • diary

    Etymology and Origin The word diary comes from the Late Latin word diarium meaning

  • Diana

    Etymology The name Diana is derived from the Latin name Diana which itself is believe

  • Dianthus

    Etymology Greek di god anthos flower Meaning and Origin Dianthus is a ge

  • diet

    Etymology The word diet comes from the Greek word diaita which means way of life o

  • Dioscuri

    Etymology Dioscuri is derived from the Ancient Greek word Διόσκουροι Dios

  • dismal

    Etymology The word dismal originates from the Old French word dismaler meaning to s

  • diurnal

    Etymology Derived from Latin diurnalis meaning daily or of the day Ultimately de

  • diva

    Etymology The word diva originates from the Italian word divo which is itself deriv

  • Dives

    Etymology The word dives has its origins in the Latin word dives meaning rich M

  • divine

    Etymology The word divine comes from the Latin word divus meaning god or godlike

  • joss

    Etymology Old Breton Iodoc Latin Judocus Gaulish Iodocus Meaning Lord or war

  • journal

    Etymology The word journal originates from the Old French word jornal which in turn

  • journalist

    Etymology The word journalist is derived from the following words Latin diurnalis

  • journey

    Etymology and Meaning The word journey originates from the Old French word journee

  • Jove

    Etymology From Latin iovis genitive case of Iuppiter the Roman god Jupiter Mea

  • jovial

    Etymology The word jovial comes from the Latin word Iovialis which means of or rel

  • Julia

    Etymology The name Julia is derived from the Latin name Julius which in turn is bel

  • Julius

    Etymology The name Julius is derived from the Latin word Iulius which was the name of

  • July

    Etymology The name July comes from the Latin word Julius which was named after Juliu

  • Jupiter

    Etymology The name Jupiter derives from the Latin language where it was originally kno

  • meridian

    Etymology The word meridian comes from the Latin word meridiānus which is derived

  • MIDI

    Etymology MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface Meaning MIDI i

  • psychedelic

  • quotidian

    Etymology The word quotidian is derived from the Latin word quotidiānus which mean

  • sojourn

    Etymology Old French sojornee Late Latin subdiurnatus Latin sub meaning und

  • Tuesday

    Etymology The word Tuesday comes from Old English Tiwesdæg which means Tiw s day

  • Zeus

    Etymology Derived from the Proto Indo European root Dyeus meaning sky father or sh

  • blame

    Etymology The word blame originates from the Middle English word blamen which in tur

  • blasphemous

    Etymology From the Greek βλασφημεῖν blasphēmein meaning to speak evil o

  • dismal

    Etymology The word dismal originates from the Old French word dismaler meaning to s

  • malady

    Etymology Middle English maladie from Old French maladie derived from Medieval Latin

  • malaise

    Etymology Malaise is derived from the French word malaise which is itself derived fro

  • malaria

    Etymology The word malaria comes from the Italian phrase mala aria which means bad

  • malediction

    Etymology From Middle English malediccioun borrowed from Old French malediction from

  • malefactor

    Etymology From Middle English malefactour from Old French malfaitour ultimately from

  • malefic

    Etymology The word malefic comes from the Latin words malus meaning evil and fa

  • malevolence

    Etymology The word malevolence derives from the Latin term malevolentia which is a c

  • malevolent

    Etymology The word malevolent is derived from the Latin malevolens meaning wishing

  • malice

    Etymology Middle English malis malice lt Old French malice lt Latin malitia mali

  • malicious

    Etymology The word malicious derives from the Latin malus meaning evil or bad

  • malign

    Etymology Late Middle English via Old French from Latin malignus from male bad harm

  • malison

    Etymology From the Latin name Malisonus meaning ill sounding Derived from the Latin

  • malversation

    Etymology French malversation Latin male badly versari to turn behave Me

  • mauvais

    Etymology Mauvais is a French word derived from the Latin word malus meaning bad o

  • blue

    Etymology The word blue originates from the Middle English blewe which in turn is de

  • dark

    Etymology The word dark originates from the Proto Indo European root derḱ meaning

  • dingy

    Etymology and Meaning Origin Middle English 14th century dark gloomy discolored

  • disconsolate

    Etymology Latin disconsolatus meaning deprived of consolation From dis meaning ap

  • Acheron

    Etymology The word Acheron is derived from the Ancient Greek word ἄχερως ách

  • dreary

    Etymology The word dreary is derived from the Middle English word drey which means

  • malkin

    Etymology and Meaning The surname Malkin is derived from the Middle English nickname Mal

  • gloomy

    Etymology Middle English glomien Old English glōmian Meaning Filled with or cau

  • sorry

    Etymology From Middle English sori from Old English sārig meaning sorrowful sa

  • bard

    Etymology and Origin The word bard is derived from the Old Irish word bardd which i