abhorrence
UK[əbˈhɒrəns]US[əbˈhɔːrəns]
n
a feeling of strong hatred and disgust for something because it is morally unacceptable.
n
something that is strongly hated and considered morally repugnant.
Morpheme Breakdown
ab
horr
ence
ab
horr
ence
Etymology
the word 'abhorrence' originates from the latin verb 'abhorrēre', which is a compound of the prefix 'ab-' ("away from") and the verb 'horrēre' ("to bristle, shudder"). the literal sense was "to shrink back from something with a shudder of horror," a vivid physical description of repulsion. this concrete image of recoiling evolved into the abstract noun denoting the intense emotional and moral state of disgust and loathing. the suffix '-ence' was added to form a noun describing this condition of being repelled, completing the journey from a physical shudder to a profound feeling of detestation.
Analysis
Structure: ab + horr + ence
- ab (latin prefix): meaning "away, from, off". it denotes separation or aversion.
- horr (latin root): from 'horrēre', meaning "to bristle, shudder, tremble". it conveys a physical reaction of dread.
- ence (latin suffix): a noun-forming suffix indicating a state, quality, or condition.
Examples
she looked at the crime scene with utter abhorrence.
cruelty to animals is an abhorrence to civilized society.
his political views were regarded with abhorrence by the establishment.