hideous
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:49 pm
Apparently it is unknown whether this word is of vulgar Latin or German origin. Also, with the passage of time its meaning had evolved from one of terrifying to that of repulsive.
OEtymD:hideous (adj.)
c.1300, "terrifying, horrible, dreadful," from Anglo-French hidous, Old French hideus, earlier hisdos "hideous, horrible, awful, frightening" (11c.; Modern French hideux), from hisda "horror, fear," perhaps of Germanic origin; or else from Vulgar Latin *hispidosus, from Latin hispidus "shaggy, bristly," "ut this presents numerous difficulties" [OED]. Meaning "repulsive" is late 14c.
Bears you out. But part of meaning must also come from the noun it modifies. "That ogre was one hideous monster" is the horrifying meaning. "Hedda's fruit-bearing hat was hideous" is almost comic.