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diabolical

   Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
di·a·bol·i·cal  (d-bl-kl) also di·a·bol·ic (-k)
adj.
1. Of, concerning, or characteristic of the devil; satanic.
2. Appropriate to a devil, especially in degree of wickedness or cruelty.
[From Middle English deabolik, from Old French diabolique, from Late Latin diabolicus, from Latin diabolus, devil; see devil.]
dia·boli·cal·ly adv.
dia·boli·cal·ness n.
diabolical [ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl]
adj Informal
1. excruciatingly bad; outrageous
2. (intensifier) a diabolical liberty
diabolically  adv
diabolicalness  n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.diabolical - showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil; "devilish schemes"; "the cold calculation and diabolic art of some statesmen"; "the diabolical expression on his face"; "a mephistophelian glint in his eye"
devilish, diabolic, mephistophelean, mephistophelian
evil - morally bad or wrong; "evil purposes"; "an evil influence"; "evil deeds"
2.diabolicaldiabolical - extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell; "something demonic in him--something that could be cruel"; "fires lit up a diabolic scene"; "diabolical sorcerers under the influence of devils"; "a fiendish despot"; "hellish torture"; "infernal instruments of war"; "satanic cruelty"; "unholy grimaces"
demonic, fiendish, satanic, unholy, hellish, infernal, diabolic
evil - morally bad or wrong; "evil purposes"; "an evil influence"; "evil deeds"
diabolical
adjective
1. (Informal) dreadful, shocking, terrible, appalling, nasty, tricky, unpleasant, outrageous, vile, excruciating, atrocious, abysmal, damnable the diabolical treatment of their prisoners
2. wicked, cruel, savage, monstrous, malicious, satanic, from hell (informal), malignant, unspeakable, inhuman, implacable, malevolent, hellish, devilish, infernal, fiendish, ungodly, black-hearted, demoniac, hellacious (U.S. slang) sins committed in a spirit of diabolical enjoyment
Translations
diabolical [ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl] ADJ
1. (= devilish) [laughter, plan, plot] → diabólico
2. (= very bad) → horrendo
it's a diabolical liberty! → ¡es un descaro intolerable!
diabolical [ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl] adj
(= evil) [act] → diabolique
(= awful) → minable >
diabolical [ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪk/əl] adj (fam) (dreadful) → infernale, atroce; (incredible) → incredibile; (satanic) → diabolico/a
diabolical [ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪk/əl] adj (fam) (dreadful) → infernale, atroce; (incredible) → incredibile; (satanic) → diabolico/a


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Now therefore the artful Irregular whom I described above as the real author of this diabolical Bill, determined at one blow to lower the status of the Hierarchy by forcing them to submit to the pollution of Colour, and at the same time to destroy their domestic opportunities of training in the Art of Sight Recognition, so as to enfeeble their intellects by depriving them of their pure and colourless homes.
Flatland by Abbott, Edwin View in context
Whether the captain acted by this maxim, I will not positively determine: so far we may confidently say, that his actions may be fairly derived from this diabolical principle; and indeed it is difficult to assign any other motive to them: for no sooner was he possessed of Miss Bridget, and reconciled to Allworthy, than he began to show a coldness to his brother which increased daily; till at length it grew into rudeness, and became very visible to every one.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context
This was strangely heightened at times by the ragged Elijah's diabolical incoherences uninvitedly recurring to me, with a subtle energy I could not have before conceived of.
Moby Dick I-LXVII by Melville, Herman View in context
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