execration

execration — noun

1. a formal or angry statement that calls for harm to come to someone, expressing e

1.名詞C2
釋義

a formal or angry statement that calls for harm to come to someone, expressing extreme hatred or strong disapproval

例句

Eliska heard the old man's execration of the thief who had taken his savings.

execration of + [person] showing target of curse

In ancient Egypt, priests performed an execration ritual against the enemies of the pharaoh, smashing clay figurines while chanting curses.

uncountable: 'execration' as attributive noun modifying 'ritual'

同義詞
  • curse

    the everyday word; 'execration' is far more formal

  • malediction

    overlaps in meaning but 'malediction' is specifically spoken; 'execration' can be written or ritual

  • imprecation

    usually a passionate spoken curse; narrower than 'execration'

文法句型

execration + of + [person/thing]

用法筆記

Commonly used in historical, religious, or literary contexts. The plural 'execrations' is used when referring to multiple individual curses.

常見錯誤

❌She expressed her execration for the rude waiter.
✅She uttered an execration against the rude waiter.
💡'execration' as the act of cursing is typically followed by 'of' or 'against', not 'for'.
❌I feel execration toward my boss.
✅I feel hatred toward my boss.
💡'execration' refers to the act or statement of cursing, not the emotion itself. Use 'loathing' or 'hatred' for the feeling.

2. a person or thing that is hated so much that people curse or condemn them; somet

2.名詞C2
釋義

a person or thing that is hated so much that people curse or condemn them; something regarded with extreme disgust

例句

The unfair tax law became the execration of every household in the region.

become the execration of + [group]

After lying to the committee, Rodrigo was the execration of the entire department.

同義詞
  • anathema

    stronger religious connotation; 'execration' can be secular

  • abomination

    focuses on moral disgust rather than being cursed

  • detestation

    more about the feeling of loathing; 'execration' implies active cursing

文法句型

be/become the execration of + [group]

用法筆記

Typically used with the definite or indefinite article ('the execration of…', 'an execration to…'). Distinguish from sense 1: here the word refers to the person/thing that is hated, not the act of expressing hatred.

常見錯誤

❌The cruel boss is my execration.
✅The cruel boss is the execration of everyone in the office.
💡Use 'the execration of [group]' rather than a possessive form.
❌He feels execration for the new rules.
✅The new rules became an execration to the workers.
💡sense 2 is about the thing that is hated, not the feeling of hatred.