a. [ Compar. Drearier superl. Dreariest. ] [ OE. dreori, dreri, AS. dreórig, sad; akin to G. traurig, and prob. to AS. dreósan to fall, Goth. driusan. Cf. Dross, Drear, Drizzle, Drowse. ] 1. Sorrowful; distressful. [ Obs. ] “ Dreary shrieks.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Exciting cheerless sensations, feelings, or associations; comfortless; dismal; gloomy. “ Dreary shades.” Dryden. “The dreary ground.” Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]
Full many a dreary anxious hour. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]
Johnson entered on his vocation in the most dreary part of that dreary interval which separated two ages of prosperity. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]