Question

grisly adjective An angry grizzly bear could certainly inspire fear, so "grizzly" must be a variant of "grisly," right? Yes and no. The adjective "grisly" is indeed sometimes spelled "grizzly," but the "grizzly" in "grizzly bear" is a different animal altogether. "Grisly" derives from an Old English predecessor, "grislic," which is itself related to an Old English verb meaning "to fear." "Grizzly" comes from the Middle English adjective "grisel," meaning "gray." Like its close relative "grizzled," this "grizzly" means "sprinkled or streaked with gray." In other words, the grizzly got its name because the hairs of its brownish to buff coat usually have silver or pale tips, creating a grizzled effect, not because it causes terror. The misperception that the bear's name reflects its reputed fierceness probably contributed to the development of the "grizzly" variant of "grisly." 1 : inspiring horror or intense fear2 : inspiring disgust or distaste

Accepted Answer

March 2, 2008 GRIZ-lee "The crime scene revealed an especially brutal murder," the detective reported, "but I will spare you the grisly details."

Word	grisly
Date	March 2, 2008
Type	adjective
Syllables	GRIZ-lee
Etymology	An angry grizzly bear could certainly inspire fear, so "grizzly" must be a variant of "grisly," right? Yes and no. The adjective "grisly" is indeed sometimes spelled "grizzly," but the "grizzly" in "grizzly bear" is a different animal altogether. "Grisly" derives from an Old English predecessor, "grislic," which is itself related to an Old English verb meaning "to fear." "Grizzly" comes from the Middle English adjective "grisel," meaning "gray." Like its close relative "grizzled," this "grizzly" means "sprinkled or streaked with gray." In other words, the grizzly got its name because the hairs of its brownish to buff coat usually have silver or pale tips, creating a grizzled effect, not because it causes terror. The misperception that the bear's name reflects its reputed fierceness probably contributed to the development of the "grizzly" variant of "grisly."
Examples	"The crime scene revealed an especially brutal murder," the detective reported, "but I will spare you the grisly details."
Definition	1 : inspiring horror or intense fear 2 : inspiring disgust or distaste

Grizzly Adjective English Grisly Variant Meaning Inspiring March