What does accursedness mean?
Accursedness is the abstract noun formed from 'accursed,' meaning the state of being cursed, damned, or condemned — whether by supernatural decree or by moral outrage. It can describe something literally believed to lie under a curse, as when legends speak of an island's accursedness, or it can be used figuratively to characterize anything regarded as thoroughly detestable or worthy of execration. The word belongs chiefly to literary and religious registers: it surfaces in gothic novels, sermons, and solemn denunciations rather than casual conversation. Its force comes from its archaic gravity — 'accursed' descends from Old English cursian via medieval Latin, and the '-ed' suffix once carried a full extra syllable ('accursèd'), as Shakespeare's verse attests. Accursedness inherits that weighty tone, making it a useful choice for writers who want to evoke dread, moral condemnation, or a sense of inescapable doom with a single resonant term.
nounThe state or condition of being under a curse; the quality of being detestable, loathsome, or deserving of condemnation.
- The state of being under a curse or divine condemnation.
- The quality of being utterly detestable or loathsome.
"The villagers spoke of the moor's accursedness with a mixture of fear and grim fascination."
"Legends told of an ancient accursedness that clung to every stone of the ruined abbey."
"He described the slum's accursedness not as supernatural, but as the result of generations of neglect."
Extremely rare; the word is almost always used as an uncountable mass noun.
"The chronicler catalogued the many accursednesses attributed to the dynasty."
Before 'cursed' became everyday slang, to be accursed was to be formally damned — and accursedness was the noun for living in that state.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of accursedness
Accursedness derives from 'accursed,' which comes from the Middle English 'acursen,' formed from the prefix 'a-' plus 'curse.' The verb 'curse' itself traces back to Old English 'cursian,' likely influenced by medieval Latin 'crux' (cross) or related to 'cros' in the sense of invoking evil upon someone. The suffix '-ness' is a native Germanic form used to build abstract nouns from adjectives. Cognate forms appear across Germanic languages through the shared root of 'curse,' while the '-ness' construction parallels formations such as 'wickedness' and 'wretchedness.'
Related word forms
How accursedness is actually used
A formal, literary word; rare in everyday speech. It carries strong negative connotations and often appears in gothic fiction, religious writing, and rhetorical denunciation. The adjective 'accursed' is far more common than the noun.
Easily confused with accursedness
Acidity refers to sourness or sharpness (literal or figurative), whereas accursedness refers to the state of being cursed or detestable.
An accusation is a charge of wrongdoing made against someone, while accursedness is the state of being cursed or abhorrent.