Diabolical

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəɫ]

Definitions

1. Extremely wicked, cruel, or evil in a way that seems characteristic of the devil
2. Profoundly malevolent and fiendishly cruel, suggesting superhuman wickedness or demonic intent
3. Characterized by extreme evil or cunning malice with an almost supernatural quality of wickedness

Etymology: "Diabolical" is a plain English formation: "diabolic" with the adjective suffix "-al" added. The longer form took a route through Greek and Latin that starts with a verb meaning "to throw across." In ancient Greek, "diabállein" combined "dia-" ("across" or "through") with "bállein" ("to throw"), and from it came "diábolos," meaning "slanderer" or "accuser," a sense that later gave the Christian term "devil." From that Greek adjective "diabolikós," Late Latin formed "diabolicus," which passed into Middle French as "diabolique" and reached Middle English as "diabolik." English then added the suffix "-al," which turned the adjective into the fuller form "diabolical" in the sense we use now. The extra suffix is what gives it the slightly looser, more emphatic feel of "relating to the devil" as opposed to the older, starker "diabolic."

Synonyms: devilish, satanic, wicked

Antonyms: angelic, good, virtuous