odium

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   widespread hatred, contempt, or disgust directed at a person or thing

   The corrupt decree brought lasting odium upon the governor.

2. 2
   noun

   the disgrace or blame attached to a hated act or condition

   The party tried to shift the odium of the failed policy onto its opponents.

A learned borrowing from Latin odium, 'hatred, ill will, or offense,' related to odisse ('to hate'). English preserves both the feeling of intense dislike and the disgrace that causes or follows such dislike.

Topics