ENORMITY

enormity

(noun) an act of extreme wickedness

enormity

(noun) the quality of extreme wickedness

outrageousness, enormity

(noun) the quality of being outrageous

enormity

(noun) vastness of size or extent; “in careful usage the noun enormity is not used to express the idea of great size”; “universities recognized the enormity of their task”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

enormity (countable and uncountable, plural enormities)

(obsolete) Deviation from what is normal or standard; irregularity, abnormality.

(uncountable) Deviation from moral normality; extreme wickedness, nefariousness, or cruelty. [from 15th c.]

(countable) A breach of law or morality; a transgression, an act of evil or wickedness. [from 15th c.]

(uncountable) Great size; enormousness, hugeness, immenseness. [from 18th c.]

Usage notes

Enormity as a synonym for enormousness is sometimes considered an error, though other usage guides hold that there is little basis for the distinction. Both words ultimately go back to the same Latin source word ēnōrmis meaning “deviating from the norm, abnormal”.

Synonyms

• (deviation from what is normal or standard): anomalousness, oddness, weirdness; see also strangeness

• (deviation from moral normality): atrociousness, depravity, immorality; see also villainy

• (a breach of law or morality): desecration, violation

• (great size): immensity, prodigiousness

Source: Wiktionary

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E*nor"mi*ty, n.; pl. Enormities. Etym: [L. enormitas, fr. enormis enormous: cf. F. énormité. See Enormous.]

1. The state or quality of exceeding a measure or rule, or of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous. The enormity of his learned acquisitions. De Quincey.

2. That which is enormous; especially, an exceeding offense against order, right, or decency; an atrocious crime; flagitious villainy; an atrocity. These clamorous enormities which are grown too big and strong for law or shame. South.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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