See Also: dismal(1)(dictionary)
dismal(2)(dictionary)
dismal(dictionary)
Dismal Swamp(encyclopedia)

dismal(2) (iou)



dismal noun. ME.
[Anglo-Norman dis mal from medieval Latin dies mali evil days; in branch II from the adjective.]
I. The 24 evil or unlucky days (2 in each month) in the medieval calendar; gen. evil days; the time of old age. Only in ME.
II. The Devil. L15-L16.
a. A funeral mute. Only in E18.
b. In pl. Mourning garments. M-L18.
One of the dreary tracts of swampy land on the eastern seaboard of the US. E18.
the dismals, low spirits, the 'dumps'. M18.
b. In pl. Depressing circumstances, miseries. E19.