Accursedness Usage and Pronunciation

English Language Classroom

Overview Meaning Pronunciation Usage Practice

accursedness

/əˈkɜːrsɪdnəs/
Noun Literary term

Definition:The state of being under a curse; extreme wretchedness

Etymology:From Middle English "acursednesse", from Old English "ācursodnes"

📚 Core Meanings

Literary term

The condition of being cursed or doomed

Accursedness hung over the ancient castle.
The castle was in a state of accursedness.
Literature

Moral state

Extreme moral wretchedness or depravity

The villain's accursedness knew no bounds.
His soul was marked by accursedness.
Theology

Figurative use

Extreme misfortune or misery

Accursedness followed the family for generations.
They lived in perpetual accursedness.
Figurative

"Accursedness" is primarily a literary and theological term, most commonly found in religious texts, Gothic literature, and poetic works. It's rarely used in everyday conversation.

🔄 Usage Comparison

English Examples

The accursedness of the place was palpable.

His accursedness was evident in his actions.

They sought to escape their accursedness.

Explanation

The cursed nature of the location was strongly felt.

His morally wretched state was clear from his behavior.

They tried to free themselves from their cursed condition.

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

British Pronunciation

/əˈkɜːsɪdnəs/

uh-KUR-sid-nuhs

American Pronunciation

/əˈkɝːsɪdnəs/

uh-KUR-sid-nuhs

Pronunciation Tips:

Common Mistakes

  • Pronouncing as "a-CURS-ed-ness" (should be /əˈkɜːrsɪdnəs/)
  • Over-emphasizing the first syllable
  • Omitting the /d/ sound in "-edness"

🎯 Common Collocations

Accursedness + of

Describing the source of the curse

accursedness of the place
accursedness of his soul
Descriptive

Sense of + accursedness

Describing perceived cursed state

sense of accursedness
overwhelming accursedness
Perception

Eternal + accursedness

Emphasizing permanence

eternal accursedness
perpetual accursedness
Temporal

Grammatical Notes

Singular: accursedness
Plural: (uncountable)

⚠️ Common Confusions

Don't confuse with:

Accursedness means being abandoned. (Incorrect)

Correct:Accursedness means being under a curse.

Accursedness is the same as misfortune. (Incorrect)

Correct:Accursedness implies a supernatural or moral curse, not just bad luck.

✍️ Practice Exercises

Translation Practice

1. The accursedness of the artifact was legendary.
2. His accursedness was evident in his hollow eyes.
3. They fled from the accursedness that plagued their family.

1. The cursed nature of the artifact was famous.

2. His morally wretched state was visible in his sunken eyes.

3. They escaped from the curse that afflicted their family.

Pronunciation Practice

Repeat these sentences:

• The accursedness was unbearable. [əˈkɜːrsɪdnəs]
• She sensed the accursedness immediately. [əˈkɜːrsɪdnəs]
• Their accursedness became proverbial. [əˈkɜːrsɪdnəs]

Correction Exercise

Identify and correct errors:

1. Accursedness means being very lucky.
2. Pronounced as [æˈkʌrsɛdnɛs]
3. The accursedness was temporary.

1. Accursedness means being under a curse.

2. Pronounced as [əˈkɜːrsɪdnəs] (schwa first, stress on second syllable)

3. Accursedness typically implies permanence.