What is most closely the meaning of ghastly as it is used in the following passage?

Question

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore —
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
Answer choices for the above question

A. adjective | dreadful

B. adjective | unattractive

C. adjective | dead

D. adjective | pale

Answer 1

In the passage, "ghastly" most closely means "dreadful." It conveys a sense of something that is frightening, horrific, or deeply unsettling. Therefore, the correct answer is:

A. adjective | dreadful.