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English
Etymology
From Middle French infernal, from Medieval Latin infernalis, from Latin īnfernus, from īnferum (“netherworld, underworld, hell”), equivalent to inferno + -al.
Pronunciation
Adjective
infernal (comparative more infernal, superlative most infernal)
- Of or relating to hell, or the world of the dead; hellish.
- (by extension) Of or relating to a fire or inferno.
- Stygian, gloomy.
- Diabolical or fiendish.
1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book I, lines 34–36:Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile
Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'd
The Mother of Mankind
1711 December 19 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “SATURDAY, December 8, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 244; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, , volume III, New York, N.Y.: D Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:the instruments or abettors in such infernal dealings
- (as an expletive) Very annoying; damned.
1905, Bram Stoker, The Man:As I had to put up with the patronage and the lecturings, and the eyeglass of that infernal old woman, […]
1982, Sharon Green, The Warrior Within, page 10:When are you ever going to learn to mind your own infernal business?
Antonyms
- (antonym(s) of “of or relating to hell”): heavenly
- (antonym(s) of “of or relating to hell, underworld or fire”): celestial
Derived terms
Translations
of or relating to hell, or the world of the dead; hellish
by extension: of or relating to a great fire or inferno
UK, as an expletive: very annoying; damned
Translations to be checked
Noun
infernal (plural infernals)
- An inhabitant of the infernal regions, a demon.
References
“infernal”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
French
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin īnfernālis.
Pronunciation
Adjective
infernal (feminine infernale, masculine plural infernaux, feminine plural infernales)
- (relational) hell; infernal
- (figuratively) infernal, hellish, awful, terrible
Further reading
Old French
Etymology
From Latin infernālis.
Adjective
infernal m (oblique and nominative feminine singular infernale)
- infernal (relating to hell)
Declension
Descendants
Portuguese
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -al, -aw
- Hyphenation: in‧fer‧nal
Adjective
infernal m or f (plural infernais)
- (Christianity) hellish; infernal (from or relating to hell)
- diabolical; evil; infernal
- Synonyms: mau, diabólico, maldoso
Derived terms
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from French infernal, from Latin infernalis. By surface analysis, infern + -al.
Pronunciation
Adjective
infernal m or n (feminine singular infernală, masculine plural infernali, feminine and neuter plural infernale)
- infernal
Declension
Spanish
Etymology
From Latin īnfernālis.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /infeɾˈnal/
- Rhymes: -al
- Syllabification: in‧fer‧nal
Adjective
infernal m or f (masculine and feminine plural infernales)
- (relational) hell; infernal (of or relating to hell)
- infernal, hellish (diabolical, fiendish)
- infernal, hellish, hellacious, hell of (very annoying, damned)
Further reading