colossal

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree Ancient Greek κολοσσός (kolossós)bor. Latin colossusslbor. French colosse Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -al Middle French -al French -al French colossalder. English colossal From French colossal, formed from Latin colossus, from Ancient Greek κολοσσός (kolossós, “giant statue”).

1. Extremely large or on a great scale.

   “A single puppy can make a colossal mess.”

   “Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers.[…]Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. Clever financial ploys are what have made billionaires of the industry’s veterans. “Operational improvement” in a portfolio company has often meant little more than promising colossal bonuses to sitting chief executives if they meet ambitious growth targets. That model is still prevalent today.”

2. Amazingly spectacular; extraordinary; epic.

   “"It's just the very biggest thing that I ever heard of!" said I, though it was my journalistic rather than my scientific enthusiasm that was roused. "It is colossal. You are a Columbus of science who has discovered a lost world."”