abomination

What it means

1. countableAn abominable act; a disgusting vice; a despicable habit.First known use ca. 1150–1350

   Onely th’adulterous Anthony, most large / In his abhominations, turnes you off

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene vi], page 354, columns 1–2

   1 more example

   Religious sodomy was practised by male prostitutes in the Hebrew temple groves, which was one of the abominations of Israel that Josiah cleared away.

   1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 160

   Synonyms: perversion

2. uncountableThe feeling of extreme disgust and hatredFirst known use ca. 1350–1470

   Synonyms: abhorrence, aversion, detestation, disgust, loathing, loathsomeness, odiousness

3. obsoleteuncountableA state that excites detestation or abhorrence; pollution.First known use ca. 1350–1470 to late 15th c.

In a sentence

Onely th’adulterous Anthony, most large / In his abhominations, turnes you off

c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene vi], page 354, columns 1–2

Where it comes from

1. Late Latinabōminātiō, abōminātiōnem“abomination”
2. Middle Frenchabomination“horror, disgust”
3. Middle Englishabominacioun
4. Englishabomination

From Middle English abominacioun, from Middle French abomination (“horror, disgust”), from Late Latin abōminātiō, abōminātiōnem (“abomination”) Doublet of abominatio.

First known use: ca. 1150–1350