Abhominable

/əbˈhɑːmɪnəbəl/ adjective

Definition

Extremely hateful, disgusting, or worthy of being rejected with strong disgust; utterly abhorrent and deserving of scorn.

Etymology

A variant or archaic form related to 'abominable,' derived from Latin abominari (to deprecate as ominous), from ab- (away) and ominari (to divine, foretell evil). The word shifted from meaning 'ill-omened' to 'extremely wicked or foul.'

Kelly Says

The original Latin root connects this word to omens and bad luck—ancient people thought truly evil things were literally cursed by fate, so 'abhominable' originally meant something that seemed supernaturally wrong, not just morally bad.

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