grievously

Everyday

1. (formal) Very seriously or badly: grievously wounded. tree →
2. (formal) In a way that causes great sorrow or harm: grievously wronged. tree →

In the lessons

In history, war stories and the Bible it describes serious wounds, sins and wrongs. In news it appears in reports of serious injuries. In everyday speech people usually say «badly» or «seriously» instead. Phrases: grievously wounded, grievously mistaken, grievously hurt.

Examples

• The soldier was grievously wounded in the battle. tree →
• «You are grievously mistaken,» said the old judge. tree →
• The village suffered grievously in the flood. tree →
• The king felt he had been grievously wronged. tree →
• Two climbers were grievously injured in the fall. tree →
• All of a sudden the King's daughter fell grievously ill, and she sent for her father, and strictly enjoined him, saying-- tree →

Note

Adverb of «grievous». Pronounced GREE-vus-lee, three syllables; not «grievious-ly». Formal and old-fashioned; for school writing «seriously» is often clearer.

In Jewish tradition

Means very seriously or heavily, as in great sin.

Interpretation. Lamentations reads Jerusalem's ruin as the result of grievous sin, but also shows the city confessing and turning to God. This is read on Tisha B'Av.

Examples

• Behold, O LORD, for I am in distress, mine inwards burn; my heart is turned within me, for I have grievously rebelled. (Writings LAM.1.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Jerusalem hath grievously sinned, therefore she is become as one unclean; all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness; she herself also sigheth, and turneth backward. (Writings LAM.1.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adverb of «grievous». Pronounced GREE-vus-lee, three syllables; not «grievious-ly». Formal and old-fashioned; for school writing «seriously» is often clearer.