Abhorring: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from Latin roots: 'abhorrere', meaning 'to shrink back from' or 'to shudder at'.
• In Latin, 'ab' means 'away from' and 'horrere' means 'to tremble', indicating a strong aversion.
• English adopted this term in the late 1500s, expanding its use in literature and everyday language.

Psychology

• People often experience abhorrence as a strong emotional response, linked to feelings of disgust or moral outrage.
• This emotion can trigger stress responses in the body, causing increased heart rate and adrenaline release.
• Abhorrence is often associated with situations involving ethical dilemmas, revealing personal values.

Literature

• Famous works often explore themes of abhorrence, such as Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein', which addresses societal rejection.
• In Shakespeare's plays, characters frequently express abhorrence as a way to highlight moral conflicts and inner turmoil.
• Abhorrence can be a powerful narrative tool, conveying deep emotional struggles and societal critiques.

Pop Culture

• In many horror films, characters display abhorrence toward creatures or shocking situations, emphasizing fear and revulsion.
• Social media often amplifies feelings of abhorrence when discussing controversial topics or behaviors that violate norms.
• Some reality TV shows create drama through conflicts that lead to moments of abhorrence among contestants.

Philosophy

• Moral philosophers examine abhorrence as part of discussions on ethics, analyzing why certain actions or ideas evoke strong aversions.
• Existentialist thinkers like Sartre viewed feelings of abhorrence as crucial for understanding human freedom and responsibility.
• Philosophical discussions often explore how abhorrence shapes societal values and collective behaviors.

Ranking #36,863, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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