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Webster 1913 Edition


Animosity

Anˊi-mos′i-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Animosities
.
[F.
animosité
, fr. L.
animositas
. See
Animose
,
Animate
,
Verb.
T.
]
1.
Mere spiritedness or courage.
[Obs.]
Skelton.
Such as give some proof of
animosity
, audacity, and execution, those she [the crocodile] loveth.
Holland.
2.
Violent hatred leading to active opposition; active enmity; energetic dislike.
Macaulay.
Syn. – Enmity; hatred; opposition. –
Animosity
,
Enmity
. Enmity be dormant or concealed; animosity is active enmity, inflamed by collision and mutual injury between opposing parties. The animosities which were continually springing up among the clans in Scotland kept that kingdom in a state of turmoil and bloodshed for successive ages. The animosities which have been engendered among Christian sects have always been the reproach of the church.
Such [writings] as naturally conduce to inflame hatreds and make
enmities
irreconcilable.
Spectator.
[These] factions . . . never suspended their
animosities
till they ruined that unhappy government.
Hume.

Webster 1828 Edition


Animosity

ANIMOS'ITY

,
Noun.
[L. animositas; animosus, animated, courageous, enraged; from animus, spirit, mind passion. Gr. wind, breath, is from flowing, swelling, rushing, which gives the sense of violent action and passion. See animal.]
Violent hatred accompanied with active opposition; active enmity. Animosity differs from enmity which may be secret and inactive; and it expresses a less criminal passion than malice. animosity seeks to gain a cause or destroy an enemy or rival, from hatred or private interest; malice seeks revenge for the sake of giving pain.

Definition 2024


animosity

animosity

English

Noun

animosity (plural animosities)

  1. Violent hatred leading to active opposition; active enmity; energetic dislike.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

References

  • animosity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913