detest

Where does the word "detest" come from? It comes from Latin detestari, passing through French before entering English (1500s).

Detest’s story begins in Latin: detestari meant “to curse while calling the gods to witness.” 'de-' plus 'testari', to witness. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as detester. Latin 'detestari' meant to curse by calling the gods to witness, from 'testis', a witness. It reached English by 1500s as detest. 'detestable' is older, from the 1300s. Today, detest means to dislike intensely.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient detestari "to curse while calling the gods to witness", 'de-' plus 'testari', to witness.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s detester "to detest", Latin 'detestari' meant to curse by calling the gods to witness, from 'testis', a witness.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s detest "to hate", 'detestable' is older, from the 1300s.