gruesome: [16] The novels of Sir Walter Scott had an enormous influence in introducing Scotticisms into the general English language, and gruesome is a case in point. It was apparently coined in the 16th century from an earlier verb grue ‘be terrified’, which was probably of Scandinavian origin. For over 200 years it remained restricted in distribution to Scotland and northern England, but Scott started using it (‘He’s as grave and grewsome an auld Dutchman as e’er I saw’, Old Mortality 1816), immediately ensuring it an entrée into homes all over Britain thanks to Scott’s huge readership. It has never looked back.
gruesome (adj.)
1560s, with -some (1) + grue, from Middle English gruen "feel horror, shudder" (c. 1300); not recorded in Old English or Norse, possibly from Middle Dutch gruwen or Middle Low German gruwen "shudder with fear" (compare German grausam "cruel"), or from a Scandinavian source (such as Danish grusom "cruel," grue "to dread," though others hold that these are Low German loan-words). One of the many Scottish words popularized in England by Scott's novels. Related: Gruesomely; gruesomeness.
实用例句
1. gruesome pictures of dead bodies
恐怖的死人照片
来自《权威词典》
2. The injured man, with blood all over his face, was a gruesome sight.
受伤的人满脸是血, 十分可怕.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. There has been a series of gruesome murders in the capital.
在首都发生了一连串让人毛骨悚然的谋杀案。
来自辞典例句
4. The gruesome German game is up.
那个可怕的德国花招被揭穿了.
来自辞典例句
5. And it is a gruesome experience to have meals at the best big - city restaurants.
