ABYSMAL

abysmal, abyssal, unfathomable

(adjective) resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be unmeasurable; “the abyssal depths of the ocean”

abysmal

(adjective) very great; limitless; “abysmal misery”; “abysmal stupidity”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

abysmal (comparative more abysmal, superlative most abysmal)

(now, rare) Pertaining to, or resembling an abyss. [First attested in the mid 17th century.]

Synonyms: unending, profound, fathomless, immeasurable

(figurative) extremely bad; terrible.

Usage notes

• Nouns to which "abysmal" is often applied: ignorance, record, performance, poverty, conditions, quality, perplexity, result, service, and failure.

Anagrams

• balsamy

Source: Wiktionary


A*bys"mal, a.

Definition: Pertaining to, or resembling, an abyss; bottomless; unending; profound. Geology gives one the same abysmal extent of time that astronomy does of space. Carlyle.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

9 January 2025

PRESENTATION

(noun) (obstetrics) position of the fetus in the uterus relative to the birth canal; “Cesarean sections are sometimes the result of abnormal presentations”


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Coffee Trivia

There are four varieties of commercially viable coffee: Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa, and Robusta. Growers predominantly plant the Arabica species. Although less popular, Robusta tastes slightly more bitter and contains more caffeine.

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