Dictionary entry

Heinous

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Hei″nous (hā″nŭs), a. [OF. haïnos hateful, F. haineux, fr. OF. haïne hate, F. haine, fr. haïr to hate; of German origin. See Hate.] Hateful; hatefully bad; flagrant; odious; atrocious; giving great offense; — applied to deeds or to character.

It were most heinous and accursed sacrilege. Hooker.

How heinous had the fact been, how deserving

Contempt! Milton.

Syn. — Monstrous; flagrant; flagitious; atrocious.

— Hei″nous‐ly, adv. — Hei″nous‐ness, n.