Pronunciation : Dire
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. dirus; of uncertain origin.]
Definition : 1. Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens.
2. Evil in great degree; dreadful; dismal; horrible; terrible; lamentable. Dire was the tossing, deep the groans. Milton. Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire. Milton.
[Compar. Direr; superl. Direst.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913