detestation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   intense hatred combined with disgust or moral revulsion

   She spoke of the regime's cruelty with undisguised detestation.

2. 2
   noun

   a person or thing that is strongly detested

   For the reformer, deliberate hypocrisy was a particular detestation.

Borrowed through Middle French détestation from Latin detestatio, from detestari 'to denounce or curse,' literally to call down as a witness. The Latin verb combines de- with testari 'to bear witness,' from testis 'witness.' Its meaning developed into strong condemnation and abhorrence.

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