unholy

adj

Etymology: From Middle English unholi, unhaliȝ, from Old English unhāliġ, from Proto-Germanic *unhailagaz, equivalent to un- + holy. Cognate with Scots unhaly, Dutch onheilig, German Low German unhillig, German unheilig, Danish uhellig, Swedish ohelig.

1. Not holy; (by extension) evil, impure, or otherwise perverted.

   “The priest's unholy behaviour brought the church into disrepute.”

   “Presently, however, this pleasing piece was interrupted. Suddenly there was a slight commotion, and a large powerful woman, whom I had noted as one of the most vigorous of the dancers, came, made mad and drunken with unholy excitement, bounding and staggering towards us, shrieking out as she came: - `I want a Black Goat, I must have a Black Goat, bring me a Black Goat!' and down she fell upon the rocky floor foaming and writhing, and shrieking for a Black Goat, about as hideous a spectacle as can well be conceived.”

2. Dreadful, terrible, excessive, or otherwise atrocious.

   “What an unholy mess your room is in!”

   “I've been spending an unholy amount of time trying to write a novel!”