late 15c., "transgression, crime; irregularity," from Old French enormité "extravagance, atrocity, heinous sin," from Latin enormitatem (nominative enormitas) "hugeness, vastness; irregularity," from enormis "irregular, huge" (see enormous). Meaning "extreme wickedness" in English attested from 1560s. The notion is of that which surpasses the endurable limits of order, right, decency. Sense of "hugeness" (1765 in English) is etymological but to prevent misunderstanding probably best avoided in favor of enormousness, though this, too, originally meant "immeasurable wickedness" (1718) and didn't start to mean "hugeness" until c. 1800.
双语例句
1. I was numbed by the enormity of the responsibility.
责任之大让我惊慌失措。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He was anxious about the enormity of the task ahead.
他为眼前任务的艰巨性而担忧。
来自柯林斯例句
3. the enormity of the task
任务的艰巨性
来自《权威词典》
4. It's difficult to grasp the sheer enormity of the tragedy.
很难确切知道这场悲剧的严重程度.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. Her words brought home the enormity of what was happening.
