English Explanatory Dictionary

detest

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To dislike (someone or something) intensely; to loathe.
  2. To witness against; to denounce; to condemn.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈtɛst/ en-us-detest.ogg

Word forms

detest detests detesting detested

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Middle French detester (French détester), from Latin dētestor (“to imprecate evil while calling the gods to witness", "denounce", "hate intensely”), from dē- + testor (“to testify, bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”); see test, testify. Doublet of detestate.

Related words

detestable detestation abhor despise disdain dislike hate loathe

Derived words

detestability undetesting
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