Everything2
Near Matches
Ignore Exact
Full Text
Everything2

Enormity

created by Webster 1913

(idea) by Gorgonzola (10.1 hr) (print)   ?   I like it! Sat Sep 15 2001 at 16:35:07

It is a common mistake to use "enormity" to simply mean something very large. Indeed, although the text of the defintion below is the correct definition, one of the examples seems to imply "size" instead of "monstrousness".

Enormity does mean immoderately large; however, it has come to mean (something) immoderately atrocious, so awful that it defies comprehension.

If you merely wish to describe something immoderately large, use "enormousness" or "immensity" instead.

An example of the distinction immediately springs to mind; out of respect, and in order to not sound like a deranged schoolmarm, I will leave it to your imagination.

(definition) by Webster 1913 (print) I like it! Tue Dec 21 1999 at 23:24:39

E*nor"mi*ty (?), n.; pl. Enormities (#). [L. enormitas, fr. enormis enormous: cf. F. 'enormit'e. See Enormous.]

1.

The state or quality of exceeding a measure or rule, or of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous.

The enormity of his learned acquisitions. De Quincey.

2.

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. South.

 

© Webster 1913.


printable version
chaos

irregardless Enormousness Senator John McCain's Statement Concerning the Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center Bonsai kitten
3 Musketeers I'm not going to fire a 2 million dollar missile at a 10 dollar empty tent and hit a camel in the butt El Mozote Pyramid Head
A Letter to Grant Richards, May 20, 1906 A Half Completed Kiss Pseud Round-up
delineate
Y'know, if you log in, you can write something here, or contact authors directly on the site. Create a New User if you don't already have an account.
  Epicenter
Login
Password

password reminder
register

Everything2 Help

Cool Staff Picks
Drink up!
The Skeptical Environmentalist
How to choose the appropriate graphics format
Searching for signs of life in the bottom of a cup of cold coffee
Chimera
How I Became a Socialist
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Noah Webster
Holy Shit! You must die to preserve life on Earth as we know it!
Quotes from sleeping people
The most Disappointing Joke Ever
Mary, Queen of Scots
Red Dragon
Hit by the realization that they are all getting to know you nodes
New Writeups
cryforhelp
Major dictionaries of the world(review)
Glowing Fish
The Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans(thing)
WolfKeeper
Launch loop(idea)
TendoKing
Katana(person)
Wuukiee
Highly ornamental cultivars of brambles still have as many thorns as their wild counterparts(idea)
TheDeadGuy
Editor Log: May 2008(log)
everyday j.Lo
pray do not molest them(thing)
ammie
Bands Who Take Their Names from Eighteenth-century English Poetry and Prose(idea)
shaogo
Under My Thumb(review)
ammie
Rock On(person)
The Custodian
The Dresden Files(thing)
Ouzo
PETA becomes you, a proposed future(fiction)
Ereneta
Stone Soup, Part Two(fiction)
jjen
Sorrier than I ever thought I would be(personal)
locke baron
Moskva class antisubmarine cruiser(thing)
This affordable entertainment brought to you by The Everything Development Company