I. ˈgrim adjective
( grimmer ; grimmest )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English grimm; akin to Old High German grimm savage, fierce, Old Norse grimmr fierce, cruel, enraged, Greek chromados action of gnashing, Avestan gram- to get angry
1.
a. : fierce in disposition or action : savage and merciless : cruel and pitiless
gaunt grim wolves descending into the valleys
b. : stern, fierce, and resolute : uncompromising
ready to do grim battle for their rights
2.
a. : of harsh and forbidding aspect : stern or forbidding in action or appearance
a grim man loving duty more than humanity
b. : distressing or shocking to see : grisly , horrible
the grim row of traitors' heads over the gate
3. : unyielding and relentless : sternly determined
grim purpose
4. : ghastly, repellent, or sinister in character or dealing with what is so
a grim task
a grim tale
lectures seem to me a rather grim treat — Willa Cather
• grim·ly adverb
II. transitive verb
( grimmed ; grimmed ; grimming ; grims )
: to make grim and forbidding
lurid clouds that grim the silence