ghoulish etymology

Etymology

The word "ghoulish" comes from the Arabic "ghūl," which means "demon" or "evil spirit." The ghoul is a mythical creature that is said to haunt graveyards and feed on human flesh.

Meaning

"Ghoulish" means exhibiting characteristics of a ghoul, such as being macabre, gruesome, or horrifying. It can also refer to someone who is morbidly fascinated with death and decay.

Origin

The ghoul first appeared in Arabic folklore as a malevolent demon that would devour children. Over time, the ghoul became associated with graveyards and the undead, and its appearance became more grotesque. In the 18th century, the ghoul was introduced to Western literature by the British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his poem "Kubla Khan." Coleridge's description of the ghoul as a "wretched, fiendish thing" that "feasted on the blood of younglings" helped to popularize the word in English.

Examples

• The ghoulish laughter of the villain sent shivers down their spines.
• The ghoulish scene of the accident left them traumatized.
• The mortician had a ghoulish fascination with corpses.

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