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squal·id

(skwŏlĭd)

adj.

1. Dirty or deteriorated, especially from poverty or lack of care. See Synonyms at dirty.

2. Morally repulsive; sordid: "the squalid atmosphere of intrigue, betrayal, and counterbetrayal" (W. Bruce Lincoln).

[Latin squālidus, from squālēre, to be filthy, from squālus, filthy.]

squalid·ly adv.

squalid·ness, squa·lidi·ty (skwŏ-lĭdĭ-tē) n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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