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DictionaryRoot: grisan
Old English

grisan

to shudder, fear

1 / 1
A partially decomposed deer carcass lies beside a woodland path, its exposed rib cage, scraps of matted fur, and clustered flies making the discovery visibly grisly rather than merely a clean skeleton.
adjective

grisly

GRIZ-lee/ˈɡrɪzli/

Causing horror or disgust.

Etymology
grisOld Englishto shudder, fear
+lyOld Englishhaving the quality of

Grisly connects horror with the bodily reaction of shuddering: it describes something dreadful enough to provoke that response. Its association with violence or death preserves this central idea.

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