The word 'gruesome' is a loan word from Scandinavian 'grue'

'Gruesome' is a word borrowed from Scandinavian 'grue'. The word entered the English language some time around 1700.

gruesome [adjective] [circa 1700]

Inspiring horror or repulsion - grisly

See 'gruesome' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Alteration of earlier 'growsome' from English dialect 'grow, grue' to shiver, from Middle English 'gruen' probably from Middle Dutch 'grūwen;' akin to Old High German in'grūēn' to shiver

See more loan words from 1700s.