释义 |
abhorrence|æbˈhɒrəns| [f. abhorrent a. after nouns from Fr. in -nce:—L. -ntia: see -nce. Cf. also the rather earlier abhorrency. By analogy abhorrence is strictly the action or fact of abhorring, and abhorrency the quality of being abhorrent; but in this as in other words which express a continuous action or lasting state of feeling, the distinction disappears, and after a period, during which the two forms were used synonymously, abhorrency was dropped, and abhorrence alone retained.] 1. The action of abhorring or shrinking from with horror; the feeling of detestation, repugnance, or utter dislike.
1660R. Coke Elem. Power & Subj. 64 By a general abhorrence, democracy hath been exploded upon the face of the earth for above 1700 years. 1680Address to Chas. II in Somers Tracts I. 106 The Premises considered, We your Majesty's Petitioners, out of a just Abhorrence of such a dangerous and pernicious Council, etc. 1704Ray Creation i. 83 Nature's abhorrence of a Vacuity or empty space. c1746Hervey Med. & Contemp. (1818) 75 The Prince of Peace rejects them with abhorrence. 1759Robertson Hist. Scotl. I. iv. 324 The Scots were held in abhorrence all over Europe. 1765Tucker Lt. of Nat. II. 659 Our abhorrences and tormenting passions, as well as the soothing, were designed for our benefit. 1809W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. XXVII. 458 A proof..of abhorrence against vice. 1860Tyndall Glaciers i. §19. 134 A wrench, for which I entertain considerable abhorrence. 1866Kingsley Hereward xvii. 215 A woman's instinctive abhorrence of wrong. 2. An expression of abhorrence; in Eng. Hist. specially applied to certain addresses presented to Charles II. (see quotation in prec. dated 1680).
1678Marvell Growth of Popery Wks. 1875 IV. 305 The members of Parliament were under a penalty to take the oath, and make the declaration and abhorrence insuing. 1735–8Bolingbroke Dissn. upon Parties 81 Their Brethren refused to sign an Abhorrence of this Invitation. 1740North Exam. iii. vii. §60. 548 A World of such Flowers went to the adorning these returns of the People's Duty to the King, and scarce in any one of them the Word Abhor was wanted; which gave the Faction, in their Turn, Occasion to fall upon the Loyallists with that Term, in Manner as I shall shew; and thence the Addresses on this Occasion [anno 1680] were called Abhorrences. 3. The object of abhorrence; what excites repugnance and detestation.
1752Young The Brothers v. i. Wks. 1757 II. 287 His father's rebel! Brother's murderer! Nature's abhorrence, and—thy lawful Lord! 1783Cowper Letters Nov. 23 Wks. 1876, 148 Politics are my abhorrence. |