Abysmality
/əˌbɪzˈmælɪti/noun
The quality or condition of being abysmal, especially extremely bad or profound.
Did you know?Abysmality is built on the same ancient imagery as abyss: a depth so immeasurable that it became a metaphor for extreme misery, failure, or profundity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ábyssos
“Bottomless or without a bottom”
Late Latin
Latin
abyssus
“An immeasurable depth; the abyss”
Old French
Old French
abisme
“A deep chasm or bottomless gulf”
Middle English
English
abysme
“An abyss, deep pit, or immeasurable depth”
16th Century
English
abysm
“A profound depth or gulf, later also used figuratively”
Modern English
English
abysmal
“Of an abyss; later, extremely bad or appalling”
Modern English
English
abysmality
“The state or quality of being abysmal”