A.Word.A.Day --heinous

A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact

Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

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