Dire \Dire\, 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)