Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Feb 6, 2014
This week's theme
Words from Harry Potter

This week's words
scud
resplendent
slipstream
heinous
sepulchral
higgledy-piggledy
canker

Lord Voldemort
Lord Voldemort, known for his heinous plots
Photo: Royal Mail

Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

heinous

PRONUNCIATION:
(HAY-nuhs)

MEANING:
adjective: Extremely wicked.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Old French haine (hatred), from hair (to hate). Earliest documented use: 1394.

USAGE:
"You have been brought here before the Council of Magical Law ... so that we may pass judgment on you, for a crime so heinous."
J.K. Rowling; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Bloomsbury; 2000.

See more usage examples of heinous in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
There's a schizoid quality to our relationship with animals, in which sentiment and brutality exist side by side. Half the dogs in America will receive Christmas presents this year, yet few of us pause to consider the miserable life of the pig -- an animal easily as intelligent as a dog -- that becomes the Christmas ham. -Michael Pollan, professor and writer (b. 1955)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith