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formidable
for·mi·da·ble [ fáwrmədəb'l, fər míddəb'l, fàwr míddəb'l ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. difficult to deal with: difficult to deal with or overcome
a formidable task
2. awe-inspiring: inspiring respect or wonder because of size, strength, or ability
a formidable display of skill
3. frightening: causing fear, dread, or alarm
[14th century. Directly or via French< Latin formidabilis< formidare "to fear" < formido "terror"]

for·mi·da·bil·i·ty [ fàwrmədə bíllətee, fər mìddə bíllətee, fawr mìddə bíllətee ] noun
for·mi·da·ble·ness [ fáwrmədəb'lnəss, fər míddəb'lnəss, fàwr míddəb'lnəss ] noun
for·mi·da·bly [ fáwrmədəblee, fər míddəblee, fàwr míddəblee ] adverb

Word Usage

The traditional pronunciation of formidable has the stress on the first syllable, but the alternative variant pronunciation, with the stress on the second syllable, is also heard.
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
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