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animadversion

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noun an·i·mad·ver·sion \ ˌa-nə-ˌmad-ˈvər-zhən , -məd- , -ˈvər-shən \

Definition of animadversion

1 :a critical and usually censorious remark —often used with on

2 :adverse criticism

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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."

Origin and Etymology of animadversion

Latin animadversion-, animadversio, from animadvertere

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First Known Use: 1583

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Editor's Note: animadversion Has Latin Roots