Diabolical
/ˌdaɪ.əˈbɒl.ɪ.kəl/noun
Extremely evil, cruel, or wicked.
Did you know?The root behind diabolical is Greek diabolos, a term used in Christian tradition for the Devil, but its older sense was simply “one who slanders” or “throws across” — as in hurling accusations between people.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷel-
“to throw, cast”
Ancient Greek
Greek
diabállō
“to throw across; to slander, accuse falsely”
Ancient Greek
Greek
diábolos
“a slanderer; an accuser; later, the Devil”
Late Latin
Latin
diabolicus
“pertaining to the Devil; devilish”
Old French
Old French
diabolique
“diabolical, devilish”
Middle English
English
diabolical
“devilish; fiendish; extremely wicked”