Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Dire

Dire (dīr) , adjective

[Latin dirus; of uncertain origin.]

1.
Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens.
2.
Evil in great degree; dreadful; dismal; horrible; terrible; lamentable.
Dire was the tossing, deep the groans. — Milton
Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire. — Milton