Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Monstrous

Mon′strous

(mŏn′strŭs)
,
Adj.
[OE.
monstruous
, F.
monstrueux
, fr. L.
monstruosus
, fr.
monstrum
. See
Monster
.]
1.
Marvelous; strange.
[Obs.]
2.
Having the qualities of a monster; deviating greatly from the natural form or character; abnormal;
as, a
monstrous
birth
.
Locke.
He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom he is bound to love . . . is unnatural and
monstrous
in his affections.
Jer. Taylor.
3.
Extraordinary in a way to excite wonder, dislike, apprehension, etc.; – said of size, appearance, color, sound, etc.;
as, a
monstrous
height; a
monstrous
ox; a
monstrous
story.
4.
Extraordinary on account of ugliness, viciousness, or wickedness; hateful; horrible; dreadful.
So bad a death argues a
monstrous
life.
Shakespeare
5.
Abounding in monsters.
[R.]
Where thou, perhaps, under the whelming tide
Visitest the bottom of the
monstrous
world.
Milton.

Mon′strous

,
adv.
Exceedingly; very; very much.
“A monstrous thick oil on the top.”
Bacon.
And will be
monstrous
witty on the poor.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition

Monstrous

MON'STROUS

,
Adj.
[L. monstrosus.] Unnatural in form; out of the common course of nature; as a monstrous birth or production.
1.
Strange; very wonderful; generally expressive of dislike.
2.
Enormous; huge; extraordinary; as a monstrous highth; a monstrous tree or mountain.
3.
Shocking to the sight or other senses; hateful.

MON'STROUS

,
adv.
Exceedingly; very much; as monstrous hard; monstrous thick.
And will be monstrous witty on the poor.
[This use is colloquial and vulgar.]

Similar Results