Definition of lurid

The word "lurid" originated in the late 1500s, likely as a variation of the French word "luride," which referred to bright, dazzling colors. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the usage of the word in English back to around 1570, where it first appeared as "luride" to describe things with a vivid and striking appearance. However, over time, the meaning of "lurid" evolved to take on a more ominous or ominously bright connotation, as it came to describe objects or scenes with a sinister or sensational character. This shift in meaning may have been influenced by the Latin word "lurida," which meant "bloody" or "dripping with blood." In addition, the word "lurid" may also have been indirectly influenced by the Middle English word "lur," which meant "a hair or bristle." This could have contributed to the association of the word with gruesome or unpleasant sights, as a "lurid" scene might be filled with grotesque details that resembled hair or bristles. Overall, the use of "lurid" to describe something with an intense or unsettling quality is now well-established and widely understood, thanks to its rich history of evolving meanings over the centuries.