A word much used among the common people in New England, and not unfrequently among those who are educated. The expression, "an awful-looking woman," is as often heard as "an ugly woman."
The country people of the New England States make use of many quaint expressions in their conversation. Everything that creates surprise is awful with them: "what an awful wind! awful hole! awful hill! awful mouth! awful nose!" &c.--Lambert's Travels in Canada and the U. S.
The practice of moving on the first day of May, with one-half the New-Yorkers, is an awful custom.--Maj. Downing, May-day in N. Y.
Pot-pie is the favorite dish, and woodsmen, sharp set are awful eaters.--Carlton, The New Purchase, vol. I. p. 182.
It is even used in this sense adverbially, and with still greater impropriety, like many other adjectives. Thus we not unfrequently hear such expressions as "an awful cold day."