online medical dictionary | definition of detest

1. To witness against; to denounce; to condemn. "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)

Synonyms: To abhor, abominate, execrate. See Hate.

Origin: 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. Detester. See Testify.

(01 Mar 1998)