invective

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another.

   And wordy attacks against slavery drew sneers from observers which were not altogether undeserved. The authors were compared to doctors who offered to a patient nothing more than invectives against the disease which consumed him.

2. 2
   noun

   A harsh or reproachful accusation.

   Politics can raise invective to a low art.

3. 3
   adj

   Characterized by invection or railing.

   Tom's speeches became diatribes — each more invective than the last.

From Middle French invective, from Medieval Latin invectiva (“abusive speech”), from Latin invectīvus, from invectus, perfect passive participle of invehō (“bring in”), from in- + vehō (“carry”). See vehicle, and compare with inveigh.

Topics