gigantic

English

Alternative forms

• gigantick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek γιγαντικός (gigantikós), ultimately from γίγας (gígas, “giant”). According to the Poly-Olbion project coined by Michael Drayton in 1612.

Pronunciation

• enPR: jī-găn'tĭk, IPA^(key): /d͡ʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

• Rhymes: -æntɪk

Adjective

gigantic (comparative more gigantic, superlative most gigantic)

1. Very large.
   • 1612, Michael Drayton, Poly-Olbion, song 1 p. 1:

     Thou Genius of the place (this most renowned Ile)
     Which livedst long before the All-earth-drowning Flood,
     Whilst yet the world did swarme with her Gigantick brood;

   • 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXXII, in Francesca Carrara. , volume III, London: Richard Bentley, , (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 259:

     It is in solitude that the imagination exercises its gigantic power; and where are a woman's feelings nurtured but in solitude?

2. (slang) Excellent; very good or exciting.

   This band is going to be gigantic.

3. In the manner of a giant. (Can we add an example for this sense?)

Synonyms

• gigantesque
• See also Thesaurus:large

Derived terms

• gigantic jet
• gigantism

Related terms

• giant

Translations

Romanian

Etymology

From gigant +‎ -ic.

Adjective

gigantic m or n (feminine singular gigantică, masculine plural gigantici, feminine and neuter plural gigantice)

1. giant

Declension