Hĭd'e-ous, a.
a. [O. Fr. hidous, hidos, hidus, hideus, hidos, hisdous, hisdeus, N. Fr. hideux, from O. Fr. hide, hisde, fright, from Armor. heuz, euz, horror, terror, heuzuz, euzuz, horrible, terrible, Ir. uath, uath, dread, fear; Fr. hideux, less probably from Lat. hispidosus, for hispidus, rough, bristly.]
Sense 1. Frightful or shocking to the eye; dreadful to behold; as, a hideous monster; a hideous spectacle; hideous looks. “Hideous wood-cuts.” Macaulay.
Sense 2. Distressing or offensive to the ear; exciting terror or dismay; as, a hideous noise.
Howled in my ear Such hideous cries. Shak.
Sense 3. Detestable; hateful. Spenser.
Synonyms—Frightful; ghastly; grim; grisly; horrid; dreadful; terrible.