Superlative form of 'dire'; the most serious, urgent, dreadful, or threatening; most extreme in severity.
From Old English 'dīre' with the superlative suffix '-est,' used to express the highest degree of severity or dreadfulness.
'Direst' is the ultimate emergency word—when you're in your 'direst need' or facing your 'direst enemy,' nothing could possibly be worse!
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