extreme

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 甚 has 9 strokes and expresses an extreme or severe degree.
• Basic usage: 甚だ is read はなはだ, and 甚だしい is read はなはだしい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An intensifying adverb and an adjective
  • 甚だ不十分だ means extremely inadequate. 甚だ is an adverb intensifying the state that follows.
  • 隔たりが甚だしい means the discrepancy is severe. 甚だしい describes the state itself.
  • 摩耗が甚だしく connects severe wear to the following statement.