formidable

formidable
\ \ [15] Latin formīdō meant ‘fear’ (it may have links with Greek mormóbugbear, goblin’, which came from an Indo-European *mormo). From it was derived the verb formīdāre, which in turn produced the adjective formīdābilis, which English originally acquired in the literal sense ‘inspiring fear’. The weaker ‘impressive in size, difficulty, etc’ is a 17thcentury development.

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • formidable — [ fɔrmidabl ] adj. • v. 1537; h. 1392; lat. formidabilis, de formidare « craindre, redouter » 1 ♦ Vieilli Qui inspire ou est de nature à inspirer une grande crainte. ⇒ effrayant, épouvantable, redoutable, terrible. « Son aspect était formidable… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • formidable — adjetivo 1. (ser / estar, antepuesto / pospuesto) Que es extraordinario o magnífico por ser grande, bueno o agradable: Su casa es formidable. Desde que haces gimnasia estás formidable. Luis es un formidable amigo. He pasado una tarde formidable.… …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • formidable — FORMIDABLE. adj. de t.g. Redoutable, qui est à craindre, C est un homme formidable. c est la chose du monde la plus formidable. une puissance formidable. des troupes formidables. il s est rendu formidable par la rapidité de ses conquestes …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Formidable — For mi*da*ble, a. [L. formidabilis, fr. formidare to fear, dread: cf. F. formidable.] Exciting fear or apprehension; impressing dread; adapted to excite fear and deter from approach, encounter, or undertaking; alarming. [1913 Webster] They seemed …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • formidable — (adj.) mid 15c., from M.Fr. formidable (15c.), from L. formidabilis causing fear, terrible, from formidare to fear, from formido fearfulness, fear, terror, dread. Related: Formidably …   Etymology dictionary

  • formidable — [adj1] horrible, terrifying appalling, awful, dangerous, daunting, dire, dismaying, dreadful, fearful, fierce, frightful, horrific, imposing, impregnable, intimidating, menacing, redoubtable, shocking, terrible, terrific, threatening; concept 537 …   New thesaurus

  • formidable — I adjective alarming, appalling, arduous, awe inspiring, awesome, dangerous, deterring, difficult, disturbing, dreadful, exciting fear, fear inspiring, fearful, fierce, formidolosus, frightening, frightful, hard to overcome, horrible, horrifying …   Law dictionary

  • formidable — The standard pronunciation is with the stress on the first syllable, although the word is often heard with the stress on the second syllable …   Modern English usage

  • formidable — (Del lat. formidabĭlis). 1. adj. Muy temible y que infunde asombro y miedo. 2. Excesivamente grande en su línea. 3. coloq. magnífico …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • formidable — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, or capable. DERIVATIVES formidably adverb. ORIGIN Latin formidabilis, from formidare to fear …   English terms dictionary

  • formidable — [fôr′mə də bəl, fôr mid′ə bəl] adj. [ME < OFr < L formidabilis < formidare, to fear, dread < formido, fear < IE * mormo , to feel horror > Gr mormoros, fear] 1. causing fear or dread 2. hard to handle or overcome 3. awe… …   English World dictionary

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