Is 'eviler' a word?

[Willowbirch]

I recently wrote a short story containing the word 'eviler'. I put this word in there because, like 'worser', 'eviler' does not exist and is fun to say.

My mother read this story, and this is what she said: "Its really funny. However, just so you know, 'eviler' is not a word."


I assured her that I, having graduated highschool and being old enough to buy beer, knew very well that 'eviler' is not a real word.

Then I remembered that my omniscient MS Works spell-checker, which will NOT tolerate 'occulomotor', 'appendicular', 'nare' or 'vampiric' (all of which are real words), had no problem with 'eviler'.

In the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 'eviler' is a valid word, and has every right to the English language as do 'evil' and 'more evil'.

Does anyone have an opinion on the subject?

[Soldier4Christ]

'eviler' is an irregular inflected form of evil. An inflected form simply means to change the form of a word, signaling change in tense, voice, mood, person, gender, number or case. An irregular inflected form simply means that the word does not fit into the category of the normal rules for changing the form of a word.

[cris]

I recently wrote a short story containing the word 'eviler'. I put this word in there because, like 'worser', 'eviler' does not exist and is fun to say.

My mother read this story, and this is what she said: "Its really funny. However, just so you know, 'eviler' is not a word."


I assured her that I, having graduated highschool and being old enough to buy beer, knew very well that 'eviler' is not a real word.

Then I remembered that my omniscient MS Works spell-checker, which will NOT tolerate 'occulomotor', 'appendicular', 'nare' or 'vampiric' (all of which are real words), had no problem with 'eviler'.

In the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 'eviler' is a valid word, and has every right to the English language as do 'evil' and 'more evil'.

Does anyone have an opinion on the subject?

Hi Willow,

These questions interest me, so I checked and here's what I found.

Evil can be an adjective, noun, or adverb.  No entries for the noun or adverb.  However, evil as an adjective is a different story.  Here's what my dictionay says:

Evil, adj. sometimes eviler or eviller; evilest or evillest.

[nChrist]

Hello Willowbirch,



My first thought was that "eviler" could not be a real word. I found it in the second dictionary I tried, "Dictionary.com". According to Dictionary.com, "eviler" is Old (Middle) English, and it was listed as "archaic".

So, I would say use "eviler" unless this is for a grade with some really strict professor.

[cris]

Willow,

Sorry, I forgot to tell you what dictionary I used.  It's Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged (it's the one that's about 6 inches thick and can't be lifted) hehe  They're the ones that are usually in the public libraries on a stand, but I'm fortunate enough to have one at home.

Grace and peace,
cris

[Willowbirch]

Thank you! I told my mother that three people and their dictionaries agreed that 'eviler' is a real word, and she said, "You actually know people online who will talk to you like that?"
What a blessing this forum is, where people talk to you, even about silly things!  

[Soldier4Christ]

What a blessing this forum is, where people talk to you, even about silly things!

Amen, it is a blessing to me also.

[nChrist]

Thank you! I told my mother that three people and their dictionaries agreed that 'eviler' is a real word, and she said, "You actually know people online who will talk to you like that?"
What a blessing this forum is, where people talk to you, even about silly things!  

Hello Willowbirch,

Sister, just tell your mother that you are hanging out with intellectuals.  

[Shammu]

Thank you! I told my mother that three people and their dictionaries agreed that 'eviler' is a real word, and she said, "You actually know people online who will talk to you like that?"
What a blessing this forum is, where people talk to you, even about silly things!  

Hello Willowbirch,

Sister, just tell your mother that you are hanging out with intellectuals.  

Where?

[Kristi Ann]

Thank you! I told my mother that three people and their dictionaries agreed that 'eviler' is a real word, and she said, "You actually know people online who will talk to you like that?"
What a blessing this forum is, where people talk to you, even about silly things!  

Hello Willowbirch,

Sister, just tell your mother that you are hanging out with intellectuals.  

Where?

YIKES DW aka Bob that is scarey!!  

I think that is a bad word!

[TalkerCat]

If "ain't" can be a word, then "eviler" can too.... Not that I'm stupider than most    (I'm the one that thought "Freedom of Speech" was the second amendment to the constitution .... oy vey!)

Blessings-

[Shammu]

Thank you! I told my mother that three people and their dictionaries agreed that 'eviler' is a real word, and she said, "You actually know people online who will talk to you like that?"
What a blessing this forum is, where people talk to you, even about silly things!  

Hello Willowbirch,

Sister, just tell your mother that you are hanging out with intellectuals.  

Where?

YIKES DW aka Bob that is scarey!!  

No it isn't that is just a bird, as this is a gator.  

[nChrist]

       ROFL! - Dreamweaver, I see that you've been loose with that graphics program again. The alligator looks like he's posing for a toothpaste commercial.  

[Willowbirch]

Hello Willowbirch,

Sister, just tell your mother that you are hanging out with intellectuals.  

I will. It may give her some hope for my future.

[nChrist]

Hello Willowbirch,

Sister, just tell your mother that you are hanging out with intellectuals.  

I will. It may give her some hope for my future.

Hello Willowbirch,

Sister, just show her the group pictures above as proof that you are hanging out with intellectuals.      

If that doesn't convince her, just holler and I'm sure that we can arrange for more pictures.

Love in Christ,
Tom

Psalms 73:26 NASB  My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.