adj.
Pronunciation: ə - ' tr ō -sh ə s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin atroc-, atrox gloomy, atrocious, from atr-, ater black + -oc-, -ox (akin to Greek ō ps eye) ― more at EYE
Date: 1658
1 : extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel : BARBARIC
2 : APPALLING , HORRIFYING <the atrocious weapons of modern war>
3 a : utterly revolting : ABOMINABLE < atrocious working conditions> b : of very poor quality < atrocious handwriting>
– atro · cious · ly adverb
– atro · cious · ness noun