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Horrendous

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means extremely unpleasant

Where does the word "horrendous" come from? It comes from Latin horrendus, adopted directly into English (1650s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
horrendus
Latin · ancient
"fearful"
gerundive of 'horrere', to bristle
2
Stage 2 of 2
horrendous
English · 1650s
"dreadful"
'horrendous traffic' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Horrendous’s story begins in Latin: horrendus meant “fearful.” Gerundive of 'horrere', to bristle. It reached English by 1650s as horrendous. 'horrendous traffic' dates from the 1900s. Today, horrendous means extremely unpleasant.