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dire

adjective
🔊/ˈdaɪə(r)/
🔊/ˈdaɪər/
(comparative direr, superlative direst)
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  1. [usually before noun] (formal) very serious极其严重的；危急的
    • They were living in dire poverty.他们生活赤贫。
    • dire warnings/threats严重的警告／威胁
    • Such action may have dire consequences.这种行为可能产生严重后果。🔊🔊
    • We're in dire need of your help.我们急需你的帮助。🔊🔊
    • The firm is in dire straits (= in a very difficult situation) and may go bankrupt.这家公司已陷入极度困境之中，可能会破产。🔊🔊
  2. (British English, informal) very bad极糟的；极差的
    • The acting was dire.这表演糟透了。🔊🔊
    • The weather was absolutely dire.天气绝对可怕。
    3. Word Originmid 16th cent.: from Latin dirus ‘fearful, threatening’.