animadversion
Americannoun
-
animadversions
plural
-
an unfavorable or censorious comment.
to make animadversions on someone's conduct.
- Synonyms:
- derogation, reflection, aspersion
-
the act of criticizing.
noun
-
criticism or censure
-
a carefully considered observation
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of animadversion
1590–1600; < Latin animadversiōn- (stem of animadversiō ) a heeding, censure, equivalent to animadvers ( us ) (past participle of animadvertere to heed, censure; see animadvert) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Animadversion is a harsh, critical comment — or even a public censure. You don't hear it very often, but in Puritan times, dressing in bright colors and swearing would bring many animadversions down upon you. Animadversion comes from the verb animadvert. In Middle English, animadvert meant simply to pay attention — to "turn your mind to" something, from the Latin animus ("mind") + ad- ("to") + vertere ("turn"). Anyone with parents can understand how a word that means "pay attention" can turn into a word that means "criticize."
Vocabulary lists containing animadversion
Speak Your Mind: Anim
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All About That Baseless: Bad-Faith Accusations
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The Scarlet Letter
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
So what is it, exactly, that fuels the animadversion against Martin Amis?
From New York Times ● Oct. 26, 2020
This may have been the animadversion of a man who hated them both.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Poppycock," was the virtual animadversion passed by U. S. Rear Admiral W. W. Phelps.
From Time Magazine Archive
Later the conference re-elected Bishop Cannon, despite considerable animadversion, to the board of Temperance and Social Service.
From Time Magazine Archive
The majority of women might go away, and comment upon the occurrences of this melancholy day, but I wish to keep sacred all that Mrs. Gerome desires to screen from public gaze and animadversion.
From Vashti or, Until Death Us Do Part by Augusta J. Evans Wilson
But he still had access to the social network of Washington journalists, his base constituency, always available to be entertained with his private animadversions of other politicians.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 11, 2020
No man who has been in Paradise for seven minutes can be expected to pay much attention to the animadversions of a temporal court.
From Time Magazine Archive
An immediate impression which many an observer got from the animadversions at Madison was that they were characterized by a refreshing and appealing amateurism.
From Time Magazine Archive
Dr. Miller's animadversions upon lay critics had nothing to do with his desire for laymen's help in educating the public to its medical needs.
From Time Magazine Archive
Mr. Riley's animadversions on "Addeliney Bowersox" constitute a fascinating study in this effect.
From A Guest at the Ludlow and Other Stories by Edgar Wilson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
