from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ghastly \Ghast"ly\, a. [Compar. {Ghastlier}; superl.
{Ghastliest}.] [OE. gastlich, gastli, fearful, causing fear,
fr. gasten to terrify, AS. g[ae]stan. Cf. {Aghast}, {Gast},
{Gaze}, {Ghostly}.]
1. Like a ghost in appearance; deathlike; pale; pallid;
dismal.
[1913 Webster]
Each turned his face with a ghastly pang.
--Coleridge.
[1913 Webster]
His face was so ghastly that it could scarcely be
recognized. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
2. Horrible; shocking; dreadful; hideous.
[1913 Webster]
Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]