balefully
|bale-ful-ly|
/ˈbeɪfəl/
(baleful)
threatening harm; full of menace
Etymology
'baleful' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'bāl'/'bealu' meaning 'evil, harm', combined with the suffix '-ful' meaning 'full of'.
'baleful' appeared in Middle English as 'baleful' or 'baleful', deriving from Old English 'bealu' (or 'bāl') meaning 'harm, disaster', and developed into the modern English adjective 'baleful' (and the adverb 'balefully').
Initially it meant 'full of evil or harm' and 'causing or portending harm'; over time the core sense of 'threatening harm or ominous' has largely been retained into modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a malicious or harmful way; with intent to cause harm or injury.
He glared balefully at the intruder.
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Adverb 2
in an ominous or threatening manner; as if portending evil or trouble.
Dark clouds hung balefully over the valley.
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Last updated: 2026/01/05 06:20