Dire (?), a. [Compar. Direr (?); superl. Direst.] [L. dirus; of uncertain origin.]
1.
Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens.
2.
Evil in great degree; dreadful; dismal; horrible; terrible; lamentable.
Dire was the tossing, deep the groans.
Milton.
Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.