formidable (for midabl)

[F. formidable = Sp. formidable = Pg. for mid avel = It. form i dabile, I swell my preface into a volume, and make it form i dable , when you see so many pages behind. Dryden, Ded. of Eneid. One or two of the present ministers are pleased to represent me as a formidable man. Goldsmith, Good-natured Man, ii. The master of such a force [sixty you sand troops] could not but be regarded by all his neighbours as a formidable enemy and a valuable ally. Macaulay , Frederic the Great. =Syn. Deterrent, discouraging, fearful, appalling, redoubtable. formidablene (fôr' mi-da-bl-nes), n. The quality of being formidable, or adapted to excite dread. formidably (form i-da-bli), adv. In a formidable manner. formidoloset (for-mid'ō-lōs), a. [= Sp. Pg. It. formidoloso,