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Webster 1913 Edition

Diabolical

{

Diˊa-bol′ic

,

Diˊa-bol′ic-al

, }
Adj.
[L.
diabolicus
, Gr. [GREEK] devilish, slanderous: cf. F.
diabolique
. See
Devil
.]
1.
Pertaining to the devil; resembling, or appropriate, or appropriate to, the devil; befitting hell or satan; devilish; infernal; impious;
as, a
diabolic
or
diabolical
temper or act; the
diabolical
expression on his face; fires lit up a
diabolic
scene
.
“Diabolic power.”
Milton.
“The diabolical institution.”
Motley.

Syn. – devilish, mephistophelian, mephistophelean.

Webster 1828 Edition

Diabolical

DIABOLIC

, DIABOLICAL,
Adj.
[L., the devil.] Devilish; pertaining to the devil; hence, extremely malicious; impious; atrocious; nefarious; outrageously wicked; partaking of any quality ascribed to the devil; as a diabolical temper; a diabolical scheme or action.

Definition 2024

diabolical

diabolical

English

Adjective

diabolical ‎(comparative more diabolical, superlative most diabolical)

  1. Extremely wicked or cruel.
  2. Of or concerning the devil; satanic.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. ↑ “diabolical” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.

Etymology

First attested between 1350 and 1400 from Middle English diabolik, from Middle French diabolique, from Late Latin diabolicus, from Ancient Greek διαβολ-ικός ‎(diabol-ikós, “devilish”), from διάβολος ‎(diábolos).[1]

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): [ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəɫ]
  • (US) IPA(key): [ˌdaɪəˈbɑlɪkəɫ]

Similar Results