SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

animadversion

play

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

animadversion was our Word of the Day on 08/22/2009. Hear the podcast!

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1583

See Words from the same year

Learn More about animadversion

See words that rhyme with animadversion

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up animadversion? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

toothsome

play

agreeable, attractive, or delicious

BROWSE DICTIONARY

anils

anima

animadversion

animadvert

animae mundi

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59c52d6ee2f72

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

The word's origins are quite literal

alt-59c4207ecf106

Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

alt-59c2960017c94

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz

stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz

Add Diction

Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.

Play the game

Editor's Note: animadversion Has Latin Roots