invidious
Meaning
(of an action or situation) likely to cause resentment or anger in others because it is seen as unfair.
(of a comparison or distinction) unfairly discriminating; unjust.
Structure
Usage
she was placed in the invidious position of having to choose between her career and her family.
the tax system makes invidious distinctions between different types of income.
his invidious comments about their work created a hostile atmosphere in the office.
Etymology
the word invidious originates from the latin 'invidiosus', meaning 'envious' or 'full of envy', which itself derives from 'invidia' (envy, ill will). the core latin verb 'videre' means 'to see'. the literal sense of the latin root is 'to look upon with ill will' or 'to see with malice'. over time, the meaning shifted in english from describing the feeling of envy ('looking askance') to describing an action or situation that is 'offensive' or 'likely to cause envy or resentment', thus turning the focus from the one who looks to the thing that is looked upon. this evolution captures the logic of something being so unfairly advantageous or discriminatory that it invites a negative or hostile 'look' from others.
Analysis
in- (latin prefix meaning 'not'); vid- (latin root from 'videre', meaning 'to see'); -ious (latin-derived adjective-forming suffix meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by').