death·ful \ˈdethfəl\adjective Etymology: Middle English deethful, from deeth death + -ful 1.archaic: full of or threatening death : deadly, murderous, destructive, bloody 2.archaic: liable to undergo death : mortal 3.: like death : having the appearance of death : deathly < on his deathful face … a look of pain and baffled anger — Richard Hofstadter > • death·ful·ly\-əlē\adverb