I. ˈil adjective
( worse ˈwərs ; worst ˈwərst)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse illr
Date: 12th century
1.
a. chiefly Scottish : immoral , vicious
b. : resulting from, accompanied by, or indicative of an evil or malevolent intention
ill deeds
c. : attributing evil or an objectionable quality
held an ill opinion of his neighbors
2.
a. : causing suffering or distress
ill weather
b. comparative also ill·er
(1) : not normal or sound
ill health
(2) : not in good health ; also : nauseated
3.
a. : not suited to circumstances or not to one's advantage : unlucky
an ill omen
b. : involving difficulty : hard
4.
a. : not meeting an accepted standard
ill manners
b. archaic : notably unskillful or inefficient
5. : unfriendly , hostile
ill feeling
II. adverb
( worse ; worst )
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : with displeasure or hostility
b. : in a harsh manner
c. : so as to reflect unfavorably
spoke ill of the neighbors
2. : in a reprehensible manner
3. : hardly , scarcely
can ill afford such extravagances
4.
a. : in an unfortunate manner : badly , unluckily
ill fares the land…where wealth accumulates, and men decay — Oliver Goldsmith
b. : in a faulty, inefficient, insufficient, or unpleasant manner — often used in combination
the methods used may be ill -adapted to the aims in view — R. M. Hutchins
III. noun
Date: 13th century
1. : the reverse of good : evil
2.
a. : misfortune , distress
b.
(1) : ailment , sickness
(2) : something that disturbs or afflicts : trouble
economic and social ill s
3. : something that reflects unfavorably
spoke no ill of him
IV. abbreviation
illustrated; illustration; illustrator