transcription, транскрипция: [ i-ˈnȯr-mə-tē ]
noun
( plural -ties )
Date: 15th century
1. : an outrageous, improper, vicious, or immoral act
the enormities of state power — Susan Sontag
other enormities too juvenile to mention — Richard Freedman
2. : the quality or state of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous ; especially : great wickedness
the enormity of the crimes committed during the Third Reich — G. A. Craig
3. : the quality or state of being huge : immensity
the inconceivable enormity of the universe
4. : a quality of momentous importance or impact
the enormity of the decision
Usage:
Enormity, some people insist, is improperly used to denote large size. They insist on enormousness for this meaning, and would limit enormity to the meaning “great wickedness.” Those who urge such a limitation may not recognize the subtlety with which enormity is actually used. It regularly denotes a considerable departure from the expected or normal
they awakened; they sat up; and then the enormity of their situation burst upon them. “How did the fire start?” — John Steinbeck
When used to denote large size, either literal or figurative, it usually suggests something so large as to seem overwhelming
no intermediate zone of study. Either the enormity of the desert or the sight of a tiny flower — Paul Theroux
the enormity of the task of teachers in slum schools — J. B. Conant
and may even be used to suggest both great size and deviation from morality
the enormity of existing stockpiles of atomic weapons — New Republic
It can also emphasize the momentousness of what has happened
the sombre enormity of the Russian Revolution — George Steiner
or of its consequences
perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune — E. L. Doctorow