enormity definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

e·nor·mi·ty [ ə náwrmətee ] (plural e·nor·mi·ties)

noun

Definition:

1. evil: extreme evil or moral offensiveness

the enormity of his crimes against humanity

2. very evil act: a very evil or morally offensive deed

[15th century. Via French< Latin enormitas< enormis "irregular" (see enormous)]

Word Usage


	enormity or enormousness? Enormity is the older word, and after several changes in usage over several centuries it settled down in the 19th century in the meaning associated with evil. It is used in this way both as a concept or attribute and as a specific instance with a plural form: We were shocked by the enormity of the crime.The regime committed many enormities to suppress opposition.Enormousness is the only word in this pair that refers, in correct usage, to significant size: We were daunted by the enormousness of the task.