Abominable
Pronunciation
- US IPA: /əˈbɑm.ə.nə.bl̩/, /əˈbɑm.nə.bl̩/
Alternative forms
- obsolete abhominable
Origin
From Middle English, from Old French abominable, from Late Latin abÅminÄbilis ("deserving abhorrence"), from abÅminor ("abhor, deprecate as an ill omen"), from ab ("from, away from") + Åminor ("forebode, predict, presage"), from Åmen ("sign, token, omen").
Full definition of abominable
Adjective
abominable
- Worthy of, or causing, abhorrence, as a thing of evil omen; odious in the utmost degree; very hateful; detestable; loathsome; execrable. first attested around 1150 to 1350
- But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. — Revelation 21:8 (KJV)
- (obsolete) Excessive, large used as an intensifier.Note: Juliana Berners ... informs us that in her time (15th century), "abomynable syght of monkes" was elegant English for "a large company of friars". - George Perkins Marsh
- Very bad or inferior.
- Disagreeable or unpleasant. First attested in the late 19th century.
Usage notes
Nouns to which "abominable" is often applied: man, woman, crime, act, deed, sin, vice, character, place, mystery
, treatment, church.