Abhor
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /É™bˈhÉ”Ër/
- US IPA: /æbˈhɔr/, /əbˈhɔr/
- Rhymes: -É”Ër
Origin
First attested in 1449, from Middle English abhorren, from Latin abhorreÅ ("shrink away from in horror"), from ab ("from") + horreÅ ("stand aghast, bristle with fear")
CDOE|page=2
. Cognate with French abhorrer, Occitan aborrir.
Full definition of abhor
Verb
- (transitive) To regard with horror or detestation; to shrink back with shuddering from; to feel excessive repugnance toward; to detest to extremity; to loathe. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).
- 1611, Romans 12:9, King James Bible:Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
- (transitive, obsolete, impersonal) To fill with horror or disgust. Attested from the mid 16th century until the early 17th century.
- c. 1604 William Shakespeare, Othello, act 4, scene 1:It does abhor me now I speak the word.
- (transitive) To turn aside or avoid; to keep away from; to reject.
- (transitive, canon law, obsolete) To protest against; to reject solemnly.
- c. 1613 William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, act 2, scene 4:I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul Refuse you for my judge.
- (intransitive, obsolete) To shrink back with horror, disgust, or dislike; to be contrary or averse; construed with from. Attested from the mid 16th century until the mid 17th century.
- :To abhor from those vices.
- :Which is utterly abhorring from the end of all law.
- (intransitive, obsolete) Differ entirely from. Attested from the mid 16th century until the late 17th century.