From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Dire \Dire\ (d[imac]r), a. [Compar. Direr (d[imac]r"[~e]r);
superl. Direst.] [L. dirus; of uncertain origin.]
1. Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens.
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2. Evil in great degree; dreadful; dismal; horrible;
terrible; lamentable.
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Dire was the tossing, deep the groans. --Milton.
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Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire. --Milton.
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