lurid

the word 'lurid' entered english in the mid-17th century, directly from the latin adjective 'luridus,' meaning "pale, wan, ghastly." this latin term is thought to be related to the latin verb 'lurere,' meaning "to be pale." the original english sense was "of a pale, sickly, or yellowish colour," often associated with a ghastly or ominous appearance. over time, the meaning evolved from describing a physically unsettling pallor to metaphorically describing vivid, shocking colours and, by further extension, sensational and shocking details in narratives, thus connecting the ancient sense of unnatural paleness to modern connotations of garishness and sensationalism.

this word is a simplex form. it is a loanword from latin, where 'luridus' meant "pale yellow, ghastly, the colour of bruises." its functional role is as a complete adjective.