Archaic or poetic term meaning atrocious or extremely cruel and shocking.
From French 'atroce' and Latin 'atrocis,' related to 'atrox' meaning fierce or savage. The root may connect to 'ater' (dark/black), suggesting something dark and terrible in nature.
This word has almost completely disappeared from English, surviving mainly in historical texts and poetry—a reminder that even words describing the worst human behavior can fade from use if society evolves past frequent need for that particular descriptor.
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