All 8 Uses of
diabolical
in
Wuthering Heights
- 'It is strange,' I began, in the interval of swallowing one cup of tea and receiving another — 'it is strange how custom can mould our tastes and ideas: many could not imagine the existence of happiness in a life of such complete exile from the world as you spend, Mr. Heathcliff; yet, I'll venture to say, that, surrounded by your family, and with your amiable lady as the presiding genius over your home and heart —' 'My amiable lady!' he interrupted, with an almost diabolical sneer on his face.†
p. 8.5 *
- And, truly, it appeared as if the lad WERE possessed of something diabolical at that period.†
p. 46.5
- I just hope, I pray, that he may forget his diabolical prudence and kill me!†
p. 110.9
- That is the most diabolical deed that ever you did.†
p. 118.8
- His forehead, that I once thought so manly, and that I now think so diabolical, was shaded with a heavy cloud; his basilisk eyes were nearly quenched by sleeplessness, and weeping, perhaps, for the lashes were wet then: his lips devoid of their ferocious sneer, and sealed in an expression of unspeakable sadness.†
p. 130.9
- 'No, it was not because I disliked Mr. Heathcliff, but because Mr. Heathcliff dislikes me; and is a most diabolical man, delighting to wrong and ruin those he hates, if they give him the slightest opportunity.†
p. 161.9
- At this diabolical violence I rushed on him furiously.†
p. 196.9
- 'Master Linton,' I cried, seeing we were regularly imprisoned, 'you know what your diabolical father is after, and you shall tell us, or I'll box your ears, as he has done your cousin's.'†
p. 197.6
Definitions:
-
(1)
(diabolical) evil; very bad; or cruel and clever (like something of the devil)
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely (and then in British English), diabolical can mean very bad -- as in "The traffic was diabolical."