Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ILL, a. [supposed to be contracted from evil, Sax. yfel; but this is doubtful. It is in Swedish, illa, and Dan. ilde.]

1. Bad or evil, in a general sense; contrary to good, physical or moral; applied to things; evil; wicked; wrong; iniquitous; as, his ways are ill; he sets an ill example.
2. Producing evil or misfortune; as, an ill star or planet.
3. Bad; evil; unfortunate; as, an ill end; an ill fate.
4. Unhealthy; insalubrious; as, an ill air or climate.
5. Cross; crabbed; surly; peevish; as, ill nature; ill temper.
6. Diseased; disordered; sick or indisposed; applied to persons; as, the man is ill; he has been ill a long time; he is ill of a fever.
7. Diseased impaired; as, an ill state of health.
8. Discordant; harsh; disagreeable; as, an ill sound.
9. Homely; ugly; as, ill looks, or an ill countenance.
10. Unfavorable; suspicious; as when we say, this affair bears an ill look or aspect.
11. Rude; unpolished; as, ill breeding; ill manners.
12. Not proper; not regular or legitimate; as, an ill expression in grammar.