Category:Detest

De*test", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detested; p. pr. & vb. n. Detesting.] Etym: [L. detestare, detestatum, and detestari, to curse while calling a deity to witness, to execrate, detest; de + testari to be a witness, testify, testis a witness: cf. F. détester. See Testify.]

1. To witness against; to denounce; to condemn. [Obs.] The heresy of Nestorius. . . was detested in the Eastern churches. Fuller. God hath detested them with his own mouth. Bale.

2. To hate intensely; to abhor; to abominate; to loathe; as, we detest what is contemptible or evil. Who dares think one thing, and another tell, My heart detests him as the gates of hell. Pope.

Syn. -- To abhor; abominate; execrate. See Hate.