aversion
UK[əˈvɜːʃn]US[əˈvɜːrʒn]
n
a strong feeling of dislike or unwillingness to do something
n
a thing or person that causes such a feeling
Morpheme Breakdown
a
vers
ion
a
away, from
vers
turn
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "aversion" originates from the Latin aversio, which itself derives from avertere, meaning "to turn away". This verb is a compound of the prefix ab- (away) and vertere (to turn). The core logic is physical and direct: to literally turn one's body or face away from something. Over time, this concrete action evolved into the abstract psychological state of a strong feeling of dislike or repulsion, metaphorically capturing the act of turning one's mind or feelings away from an object or idea. The suffix "-ion" formalizes this action or state into a noun, completing the journey from a physical gesture to an internal emotional condition.
Analysis
Structure: a (away, from) + vers (turn) + ion (noun suffix)
"a-" is a Latin prefix meaning "away, from". "vers" is a root from Latin vertere, meaning "to turn". "-ion" is a Latin-derived noun suffix indicating an action, process, or state.
Examples
she has a strong aversion to public speaking.
his aversion to risk prevented him from investing in the startup.
for many people, snakes are a common aversion.