enormity
UK: ɪˈnɔːmɪti | US: ɪˈnɔːrmɪti
n. the great or extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something perceived as bad or morally wrong
n. (archaic) a grave crime or sin
The word "enormity" originates from Latin enormis (e- "out of" + norma "rule, pattern"), implying deviation from moral or legal standards. Over time, it evolved from meaning "irregularity" or "deviance" to emphasizing the moral weight of extreme wrongdoing. The modern sense of "great scale" (often misused for neutral largeness) stems from confusion with "enormous," though purists reserve it for negative contexts.
The enormity of the war crimes shocked the international community.
He struggled to grasp the enormity of his betrayal.
(Archaic) The king condemned the traitor for his enormities.
Critics argue that using "enormity" to describe mere size dilutes its moral gravity.
The documentary revealed the full enormity of the environmental disaster.