abomination
UK: əˌbɒm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən | US: əˌbɑː.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən
n. something that causes disgust or hatred
n. a feeling of extreme loathing
n. (theological) a morally detestable act
abomination = ab<away from> + omin<omen> + ation<noun suffix>
- ab (Latin ab-): "away from," implying rejection or aversion.
- omin (Latin omen): "omen," often associated with divine signs or portents (historically, bad omens were feared).
- ation (noun-forming suffix): indicates a state or result.
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin abominari ("to deprecate as a bad omen"), the word originally referred to things deemed so vile they were thought to repel divine favor. Over time, it broadened to secular contexts, retaining its intense negativity. The morpheme omin reflects ancient superstitions linking disgust to supernatural warning signs.
The dictator’s crimes were an abomination to humanity.
She viewed the destruction of nature as an abomination.
In medieval texts, heresy was often called an abomination.
The chef considered overcooked pasta an abomination.
The treaty was seen as an abomination by hardliners.