Accursed Meaning
/əˈkɜː.sɪd/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjHateful; detestable, loathsome.
adjDoomed to destruction or misery; cursed; anathematized.
Sentence Examples
Oh, Vassili, what brings you to this accursed place?
Let us depart from this accursed place!
CEFR Practice Quiz
The villagers believed the old mansion was ____ because strange noises came from it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The legend says that the treasure is ____ and brings bad luck.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English acursed, from acursen (“to curse”), from Old English ācursian, from ā- + cursian, from curs (“curse”). First attested in the 13th century.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Accursed race of Tiriel. behold your father // Come forth & look on her that bore you. come you accursed sons."
— c. 1789, William Blake, Tiriel:
"Lo! they are charged with studying the accursed cabalistical secrets of the Jews, and the magic of the Paynim Saracens."
— 1819, Ivanhoe, Walter Scott, Chapter 35:
"[…]Alaeddin ate and drank and was cheered and after he had rested and had recovered spirits he cried, "Ah, O my mother, I have a sore grievance against thee for leaving me to that accursed wight who strave to compass my destruction and designed to take my life. Know that I beheld Death with mine own eyes at the hand of this damned wretch, whom thou didst certify to be my uncle;[…]"
— 1885, Richard F. Burton, The Supplemental Nights to the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 532:
"Accurſt be he that firſt inuented war"
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene iv:
"[…]—if any one, be he who he may, attempt to alter the faith once for all delivered, let him be accursed."
— 1885, Charles Abel Heurtley, transl., The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, Chapter 8:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The villagers believed the old mansion was ____ because strange noises came from it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The legend says that the treasure is ____ and brings bad luck.