abomination
UK[əˌbɒm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən]US[əˌbɑː.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən]
n
A thing that causes disgust or hatred.
n
A feeling of extreme disgust or hatred.
Morpheme Breakdown
ab
omin
ation
ab
away from
omin
ation
Etymology
The word 'abomination' originates from Latin abominari, meaning "to deprecate as an ill omen" or literally "to avert an omen." This verb was formed from ab- ("away from") and omin- (stem of omen), reflecting the ancient practice of rejecting anything considered a bad portent. Over time, the sense evolved from a formal religious or ritual rejection of an ill omen to a more general feeling of intense moral repugnance. In Middle English, via Old French, it came to denote anything deemed loathsome or wicked, solidifying its modern meaning of an object or concept that provokes profound disgust.
Analysis
Structure: ab + omin + ation
- ab: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "away from" or "off," indicating separation or negation.
- omin: Derived from Latin omen (omen, prophetic sign), specifically its stem form. In this context, it relates to something ill-omened or detestable.
- ation: Latin suffix -ationem, forming nouns of action or state from verbs.
Examples
The dictator's treatment of his own people was an abomination.
She viewed the new architectural design as an abomination against the city's historic character.
In his view, such cruelty to animals was a moral abomination.