heinous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite extremely wicked, deeply criminal
    flagitious.
    • a flagitious crime
    • heinous accusations

WordNet


Hei"nous adjective
Etymology
OF. haïnos hateful, F. haineux, fr. OF. haïne hate, F. haine, fr. haïr to hate; of German origin. See Hate.
Definitions
  1. Hateful; hatefully bad; flagrant; odious; atrocious; giving great great offense; -- applied to deeds or to character.
    It were most heinous and accursed sacrilege. Hooker.
    How heinous had the fact been, how deserving Contempt! Milton.
    Syn. -- Monstrous; flagrant; flagitious; atrocious. -- Hei"nous*ly, adv. -- Hei"nous*ness, n.

Webster 1913