The comparative form of dismal; more gloomy, depressing, or dreary than something else.
From dismal (from Old French desmal, 'unfavorable days') + -er (comparative suffix). Dismal originally meant 'inauspicious' before gaining its modern sense of 'gloomy'.
Medieval astronomers believed certain days were 'dies mali' (evil days) when nothing should be done—this superstition gave us 'dismal,' so calling something 'dismaler' carries echoes of ancient fear about unlucky times.
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