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diskette
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dislocated worker
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dismal science
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dismal

dismal [ dízm'l ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. depressing: depressing to the spirit or outlook

2. hopeless: showing a lack or failure of hope

3. of poor quality: very poor or inadequate
a dismal performance

[14th century. < obsolete noun, 'unlucky days', via Anglo-Norman< medieval Latin dies mali]

dismally adverb
dismalness noun
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