Webster's English Dictionary

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dismal

dis.mal \'diz-m*l\ \-m*-le-\ aj [ME, fr. dismal, n., days marked as unlucky 
   in medieval calendars, fr. AF], fr. ML dies mali, lit., evil days obs  1: 
   DISASTROUS, DREADFUL  2: showing or causing gloom or depression  3: lacking 
   interest or merit  - dis.mal.ly av