baleful (2009-05-14)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: ['beyl-fêl]

Definition: Threatening harm, ominous or sinister.

Usage: The uses are endless. "The construction crew became more active when baleful clouds appeared overhead." "My little sister responded quickly to the baleful expression on Mom's face this afternoon."

Suggested Usage: "Baleful" and "baneful" are close cousins, but do have different uses. "Baleful" is said of something that seems to assure danger; "baneful" refers to something that has already caused harm. "I'm not going to have those baleful eggs; they look runny" versus "The baneful effect of the undercooked eggs was sour after-breakfast moods and conversations."

Etymology: Old English balu, Middle English bale "evil, perniciousness, harm" + -ful. Archaic by the 16th century. Probably related to Slavic bol- "pain, affliction" as in Russian bol'nyi "painful."