1 animadversion | Definition of animadversion

animadversion

noun
an·​i·​mad·​ver·​sion | \ ËŒa-nÉ™-ËŒmad-ˈvÉ™r-zhÉ™n How to pronounce animadversion (audio) , -mÉ™d-, -ˈvÉ™r-shÉ™n\

Definition of animadversion

1 : a critical and usually censorious remark often used with on
2 : adverse criticism

Animadversion Has Latin Roots

Animadversion comes ultimately from the Latin phrase animum advertere, meaning "to turn the mind to." It is easy to see how we also get "adverse" and "adversary" from "advertere," especially when we remember that "to turn to" easily becomes "to turn against." Other English words descended from "advertere" include advert, meaning "to turn the attention (to) or "to make reference (to)," and "advertise."

First Known Use of animadversion

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for animadversion

Latin animadversion-, animadversio, from animadvertere

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on animadversion

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with animadversion