Dire (dīr), a. [Compar.Direr (?); superl.Direst.] [L. dirus; of uncertain origin.] 1. Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens.
2. Evil in great degree; dreadful; dismal; horrible; terrible; lamentable.
Dire was the tossing, deep the groans. Milton.
Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire. Milton.