— direly , adv. — direness , n.
/duyeur/ , adj., direr, direst .
1. causing or involving great fear or suffering; dreadful; terrible: a dire calamity.
2. indicating trouble, disaster, misfortune, or the like: dire predictions about the stock market.
3. urgent; desperate: in dire need of food.
[ 1560-70; dirus fearful, unlucky ]