taeter (less correctly tēter), tra, trum, adj. [perh. from taedet].
I Physically, offensive , foul , noisome , shocking , hideous , loathsome (class.; syn.: foedus, putidus).
A Absol. : taetra et immanis belua, Cic. Tusc. 4, 20, 45: odor ex multitudine cadaverum, Caes. B. C. 3, 49: cadavera, Lucr. 2, 415: aut foedā specie taetri turpesque videntur, id. 2, 421: sapor, id. 6, 22: absinthia, id. 1, 936: ulcera, id. 5, 995; 5, 1126; 4, 172; 6, 976: cruor, Verg. A. 10, 727: spiritus, Hor. C. 3, 11, 19; Luc. 1, 618: loca taetra, inculta, foeda atque formidolosa, Sall. C. 52, 13; cf.: taetris (caecis PHI) tenebris et caligine, Cic. Agr. 2, 17, 44: alter, o dii boni, quam taeter incedebat, quam truculentus, quam terribilis aspectu! id. Sest. 8, 19; cf.: vultus naturā horridus ac taeter, Suet. Calig. 50; Juv. 10, 191: hanc tam taetram, tam horribilem tamque infestam rei publicae pestem toties jam effugimus, Cic. Cat. 1, 5, 11.— Comp. : aliis aliud retro quoque taetrius esset Naribus, etc., Lucr. 2, 510.— Sup. : taeterrima hiems, Cael. ap. Cic. Fam. 8, 15, 1.—
B With abl.: foedā specie taetri, Lucr. 2, 421; cf.: mulier taeterrima vultu, Juv. 6, 418.—As subst.: taetrum , i, n., offensiveness : quae profluentia necessario taetri essent aliquid habitura, Cic. N. D. 2, 56, 141.—
II Mentally or morally.
A In gen.
1 Of persons, horrid , hideous , repulsive , shameful , disgraceful , abominable , etc. (syn.: immanis, turpis): taeter et ferus homo, Cic. Q. Fr. 2, 13, 2.— Sup. : quid ais tu, hominum omnium taeterrume? Plaut. Most. 3, 1, 65: quamquam es omni diritate atque immanitate taeterrimus, Cic. Vatin. 3, 9: quis taetrior hostis huic civitati, id. Cael. 6, 13: qui in eum fuerat taeterrimus, id. Tusc. 1, 40, 96.—
2 Of things: postquam discordia taetra Belli ferratos postes portasque refregit, Enn. ap. Serv. Verg. A. 7, 622 (Ann. v. 270 Vahl.): libido, Hor. S. 1, 2, 33: facinus, Cic. Off. 3, 29, 95: prodigia, Liv. 22, 9.— Comp. : quibus (sc. cupiditatibus) nihil taetrius nec foedius excogitari potest, Cic. Off. 3, 8, 36: nullum vitium taetrius est, quam avaritia, id. ib. 2, 22, 77. — Sup. : taeterrimum bellum, Cic. Fam. 10, 14, 2.—
B Esp., neutr. as adv., horridly , horribly , etc.: taetrum flagrat ... Horror conscius, Prud. Cath. 4, 22.—Hence, adv.: taetrē , foully , shockingly , hideously , Cato ap. Charis. p. 196 P.; Cic. Div. 1, 9.— Sup. , Cic. Att. 7, 12, 2.