Dire, a. [Compar. Direr; superl. Direst.]
Etymology: [L. dirus; of uncertain origin.]
1. Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens.
2. Evil in great degree; dreadful; dismal; horrible; terrible; lamentable. Dire was the tossing, deep the groans. Milton. Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire. Milton.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for dire; he lists it under awful.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.