animadversion








noun

  1. an unfavorable or censorious comment: to make animadversions on someone’s conduct.
  2. the act of criticizing.

noun

  1. criticism or censure
  2. a carefully considered observation
n.

1590s, “criticism, blame,” also sometimes in early use simply “notice, attention” (now obsolete), from Latin animadversionem (nominative animadversio) “investigation, inquiry; perception, observation,” noun of action from past participle stem of animadverte “to take cognizance of,” literally “to turn the mind to,” from animum, accusative of animus “mind” (see animus), + advertere “to turn to” (see advertise). The sense of “to take notice of as a fault” was in Latin; in fact animadverto at times was a euphemism for “to punish with death.”

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