[dire] adj dir.er ; dir.est [L dirus; akin to Gk deinos terrifying, Skt dvesti he hates] (1567) 1 a: exciting horror "~ suffering" b: dismal, oppressive "~ days"
2: warning of disaster "a ~ forecast" 3 a: desperately urgent "~ need" b: extreme "~ poverty" -- dire.ly adv -- dire.ness n