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orc

Syllabification: (orc)
Pronunciation: /ôrk/

Definition of orc

noun

  • (in fantasy literature and games) a member of an imaginary race of humanlike creatures, characterized as ugly, warlike, and malevolent.

Derivatives

orcish

adjective

Origin:

late 16th century (denoting an ogre): perhaps from Latin orcus 'hell' or Italian orco 'demon, monster', influenced by obsolete orc 'ferocious sea creature' and by Old English orcneas 'monsters' The current sense is due to the use of the word in Tolkien's fantasy adventures

orc in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of orc in the British & World English dictionary