Archaic or rare term meaning disastrous, destructive, or bringing bad fortune; unlucky or calamitous.
From Latin funestus (deadly, destructive, unlucky), related to funus (death, funeral). This word is largely obsolete in modern English but survives in historical texts and literary contexts. The -est superlative ending is not appropriate here; this is simply the adjective form meaning 'of ill omen.'
The word 'funest' is a ghost word in English—it appears in historical documents but barely survives in modern usage, reminding us that languages constantly lose words they no longer need, just as they gain new ones, and that literary history is filled with perfectly good words we've abandoned.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.