1. Definition
What is, Concept or Meaning
n. Abhorrence is a noun that refers to a strong feeling of disgust or detestation towards something. It is often used to describe a strong emotional reaction to something that is considered unpleasant, offensive, or morally repugnant. For example, someone might say “I feel a deep abhorrence towards racism” to describe their strong disgust towards it, or “The sight of the animal’s suffering filled me with abhorrence” to describe their strong emotional reaction to seeing the animal in distress.
2. Etymology of abhorrence
The word “abhorrence” comes from the Latin word “abhorrēre,” which means “to shrink back in horror.” It is related to the Latin word “horrēre,” which means “to tremble” or “to shudder,” and it is the noun form of the verb “abhor,” which means to detest or hate something intensely. Other words with the same etymology include “horror,” which refers to a feeling of fear, dread, or shock, and “horrify,” which means to fill with horror or shock.
3. Uses and Applications
Abhorrence is most commonly used to describe a strong emotional reaction to something that is considered unpleasant, offensive, or morally repugnant. It is often used in written or formal language, and it can be used to convey the strong feelings of a character in a novel, or to express the writer’s own feelings about a particular issue. In addition to being used in writing, the word “abhorrence” can also be used in spoken language to describe a strong emotional reaction to something.
4. History
The word “abhorrence” has been in use in the English language for hundreds of years. It first appeared in written English in the 16th century, and it has been used in a variety of contexts since then. In the past, the word was often used to express strong moral outrage or condemnation, and it was often used in a religious or philosophical context. Today, the word is still commonly used to describe a strong feeling of disgust or detestation, and it is used in a variety of settings, including casual conversation, writing, and formal speech.
Bibliography ►
Phoneia.com (January 9, 2023). Abhorrence. Recovered from https://phoneia.com/words/abhorrence/