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squalid

 - 3 dictionary results

squal⋅id

  [skwol-id, skwaw-lid]
Use squalid in a Sentence
–adjective
1. foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or cleanliness; neglected and filthy.
2. wretched; miserable; degraded; sordid.
Origin:
1585–95; < L squālidus dirty, equiv. to squāl(ēre) to be dirty, encrusted + -idus -id 4

Related forms:
squal⋅id⋅ly, adverb
squal⋅id⋅ness, squa⋅lid⋅i⋅ty  [skwo-lid-i-tee] , noun

Synonyms:
1. unclean. See dirty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To squalid
squal·id   (skwŏl'ĭd)   
adj.  

  1. Dirty and wretched, as from poverty or lack of care. See Synonyms at dirty.

  2. Morally repulsive; sordid: "the squalid atmosphere of intrigue, betrayal, and counterbetrayal" (W. Bruce Lincoln).


[Latin squālidus, from squālēre, to be filthy, from squālus, filthy.]
squal'id·ly adv., squal'id·ness, squa·lid'i·ty (skwŏ-lĭd'ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

squalid 
1591, from M.Fr. squalide, from L. squalidus "rough, coated with dirt, filthy," related to squales "filth," squalus "filthy," squalare "be covered with a rough, scaly layer, be coated with dirt, be filthy," of uncertain origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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