Dictionary entry

Grievous

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Griev″ous (?), a. [OF. grevous, grevos, LL. gravosus. See Grief.] 1. Causing grief or sorrow; painful; afflictive; hard to bear; offensive; harmful.

The famine was grievous in the land. Gen. xii. 10.

The thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight. Gen. xxi. 11.

2. Characterized by great atrocity; heinous; aggravated; flagitious; as, a grievous sin. Gen. xviii. 20.

3. Full of, or expressing, grief; showing great sorrow or affliction; as, a grievous cry. — Griev″ous‐ly, adv. — Griev″ous‐ness, n.