Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Formidable
For′mi-da-ble
,Adj.
[L.
formidabilis
, fr. formidare
to fear, dread: cf. F. formidable
.] Exciting fear or apprehension; impressing dread; adapted to excite fear and deter from approach, encounter, or undertaking; alarming.
They seemed to fear the
formodable
sight. Dryden.
Syn. – Dreadful; fearful; terrible; frightful; shocking; horrible; terrific; tremendous.
Webster 1828 Edition
Formidable
FORM'IDABLE
,Adj.
Exciting fear or apprehension; impressing dread; adapted to excite fear and deter from approach, encounter or undertaking. It expresses less than terrible, terrific, tremendous, horrible, and frightful.
They seemed to fear the formidable sight.
I swell my preface into a volume, and make it formidable, when you see so many pages behind.