animadversion

noun

an·i·mad·ver·sion | \ ˌa-nə-ˌmad-ˈvər-zhən

How to pronounce animadversion (audio)

, -məd-, -ˈvər-shən \

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." The first part, anima, comes from the Latin word for "mind" or "soul" and gives us animal and animate. 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.

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Cite this Entry

“Animadversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animadversion. Accessed 19 May. 2022.

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