from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Detest \De*test"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Detesting}.] [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. d['e]tester. See {Testify}.]
1. To witness against; to denounce; to condemn. [Obs.]
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The heresy of Nestorius . . . was detested in the
Eastern churches. --Fuller.
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God hath detested them with his own mouth. --Bale.
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2. To hate intensely; to abhor; to abominate; to loathe; as,
we detest what is contemptible or evil.
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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}.
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