grisly

adj

1. Horrifyingly repellent; gruesome, terrifying.

   “The photographs of the killings depict a grisly scene.”

   “Magnes and many thinges attractive are, / But nothing ſo allective under ſkyes, / As that ſame dainty amiable ſtarre, / That none but griſly mouth of hell defyes.”

   “Then clad in cloake of mistie fogges the darke night vp did come, / And with grim grislie looke did seeme to bid me get me home; […]”

   “It was sore travelling for horse and man under the blazing sun, with no food nor water save what he pressed from the pith of the palms, and even these were growing scarce. The only life on the plains was the hard and dusty scrub. Every hour brought a more hopeless and grislier desolation.”

   “We know too well the bestial assault you are making upon the Russian people, to whom our hearts go out in their valiant struggle. We will have no truce or parley with you, or the grisly gang who work your wicked will. You do your worst and we will do our best.”

2. (alt-of, obsolete)Obsolete form of grizzly.

   “old squirrels that turn grisly”

   “The animals found in this province are, deer, elk, buffalo, cabrie, the grisly black bear, and wild horses.”

3. (alt-of, misspelling)Misspelling of gristly.

noun

1. (alt-of, obsolete)Obsolete form of grizzly (“type of bear”).

adv

1. (obsolete)In a horrible or terrible manner; in a terrifying way.

   “A valiant Captain of great prowess, as fierce as a fox assaulting a goose, was so hardy to give the first stroke: then got they so grisly together, that great was the activity that day to be seen there on both sides: the one very eager for purchase of prey, the other utterly stout for redemption of liberty: thus, quarrel enflamed the fury on both sides: twice the Danes had the better, but at the last conflict, beaten down, overcome, and many led captive for triumph by our English women.”