ENORMITY • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Enormity

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/ɪnˈɔrməti/ /inˈɔrməti/ Listen

noun

Enormity n. (pl. enormities)

The state or quality of exceeding a measure or rule, or of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous. "The enormity of his learned acquisitions."

That which is enormous; especially, an exceeding offense against order, right, or decency; an atrocious crime; flagitious villainy; an atrocity. "These clamorous enormities which are grown too big and strong for law or shame."

See images of 'Enormity'

Etymology of 'Enormity'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Enormity" Quotes from Famous Books

... with abundant tears, and then wept for joy that he again beheld me, again had me; and that after he had long doubted whither this misfortune might have led me, he saw me bear it so calmly and collectedly; for such an aspect had despair now assumed in me. My misery stood before me in its enormity and unchangeableness. I had wept my last tear; not another cry could be extorted from my heart; I presented to my fate my bare head with ...

— The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: - Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English, Volume 5. • Various

... the first place, what would be the use of it? Fancy Lady Exmoor's horror at the bare idea of her son's tutor falling in love with Lady Hilda! I assure you, Miss Oswald, she would evaporate at the very mention of such an unheard-of enormity. A man must be, if not an earl, at least a baronet with five thousand a year, before he dare face the inexpressible indignation of Lady Exmoor with an offer of marriage ...

— Philistia • Grant Allen

... questioned them as to the identity of the Hindus, he was again brought up against a blank wall, for they knew nothing of them. He deemed it politic to promise to forgive them and allow them to keep the money that they had received, after he had thoroughly impressed upon them the enormity of their guilt in daring to lay hands upon a white woman. He ordered them as a penance to visit all the Bhuttia villages on each side of the border and tell everyone how terrible was the punishment for such a crime. They were first to ...

— The Elephant God • Gordon Casserly

... was badder than all that." Badder seemed to admit more enormity than simply bad, "I—I went in the park to walk and ...

— A Modern Cinderella • Amanda M. Douglas

... wore that aspect of woe which comes from the repentant consciousness of having been guilty of an enormity. 'But he wasn't good enough to take me, sir!' she said, almost crying; 'and he isn't absolutely my master until I have married ...

— The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid • Thomas Hardy

More quotes...