Macabre
Adjective
Definition: Disturbing and horrifying; suggesting death or the horror of death.
Synonyms: Gruesome, Morbid, Ghastly, Eerie, Chilling
Antonyms: Pleasant, Comforting, Light
- The macabre scene in the horror movie gave me nightmares.
- The artist's macabre paintings depicted decaying corpses and skeletons.
- Think of the word "macabre" as sounding similar to "macabre" and associate it with dark and disturbing imagery.
Etymology:
The word "macabre" originated from the Old French noun "macabé" or "maccabée," which came from the Latin word "Maccabaeus," referring to the Maccabees, a Jewish family in the second century BCE known for their resistance against Greek persecution. In medieval Europe, the term "danse macabre" or "dance of death" referred to artistic representations depicting death personified leading people from all walks of life to the grave. From this usage, the word "macabre" evolved to describe anything associated with death, horror, or the supernatural.
Historical Usage:The word "macabre" has been used since the 19th century to describe dark and grotesque themes in art, literature, and other forms of expression.
Related Idioms:
"Dance macabre"
Explanation:Refers to a medieval artistic genre or motif depicting dancing skeletons, symbolizing the universality of death and the transitory nature of life.
Misconceptions:
Macabre only refers to death-related themes.
Explanation:While macabre often relates to death or the horror of death, it can also encompass unsettling or disturbing themes beyond death, such as the supernatural or extreme violence.