Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used without object)
- to comment unfavorably or critically (usually followed by on or upon): to animadvert at length upon his faulty use of English.
verb (used with object)
- Obsolete. to take cognizance or notice of.
verb (intr)
- (usually foll by on or upon) to comment with strong criticism (upon); make censorious remarks (about)
- to make an observation or comment
early 15c., “to take notice of,” from Latin animadvertere “to notice, to take cognizance of,” also “to censure, blame, punish,” literally “to turn the mind to” (see animadversion). Sense of “to criticize, blame, censure” in English is from 1660s. Related: Animadverted; animadverting.