from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Heinous \Hei"nous\ (h[=a]"n[u^]s), a. [OF. ha["i]nos hateful, F.
haineux, fr. OF. ha["i]ne hate, F. haine, fr. ha["i]r to
hate; of German origin. See {Hate}.]
Hateful; hatefully bad; flagrant; odious; atrocious; giving
great offense; -- applied to deeds or to character.
[1913 Webster]
It were most heinous and accursed sacrilege. --Hooker.
[1913 Webster]
How heinous had the fact been, how deserving
Contempt! --Milton.
Syn: Monstrous; flagrant; flagitious; atrocious. --
{Hei"nous*ly}, adv. -- {Hei"nous*ness}, n.
[1913 Webster]