animadversion

From French animadversion, from Latin animadversiō (“observation, criticism”), from animadvertō (“I pay attention”), from animus (“mind”) + advertō (“I turn to”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌænɪmædˈvɜːʃən/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌænɪmædˈvɝːʒən /, /ˌænɪmædˈvɝːʃən/

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animadversion (countable and uncountable, plural animadversions)

1. (countable) A criticism, a critical remark.
   • 1827, Sir Walter Scott, The Journal of Sir Walter Scott, January 1827:

     [A] misconstruction or misinterpretation, nay, the misplacing of a comma, was in Gifford's eyes a crime worthy of the most severe animadversion.

   • 1895, Elias Lyman Magoon, reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, p. 357:

     While the censorious man is most severe in judging others, he is invariably the most ready to repel any animadversions made upon himself; upon the principle well understood in medical circles, that the feeblest bodies are always the most sensitive.

2. (uncountable) The state or characteristic of being animadversive.
   • 1603, (translator unknown), Michel de Montaigne (author), Essayes, Volumes 5-6‎, p. 3-4:

     He was deceived; for justice hath also knowledge and animadversion over such as gather stubble (as the common saying is) or looke about for grape-seed.

   • 1788, Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 67, The Executive Department:

     Nor have I scrupled, in so flagrant a case, to allow myself a severity of animadversion little congenial with the general spirit of these papers.

   • 1830, Andrew Jackson, Second Annual Message to Congress:

     In a government like ours more especially should all public acts be, as far as practicable, simple, undisguised, and intelligible, that they may become fit subjects for the approbation to animadversion of the people.

animadversion f (plural animadversions)

1. animadversion (all senses)