imprecation

Advancedzipf 1.35

Pronunciation

/ˌɪmprɪˈkeɪʃən/(im-prih-KAY-shun)

Part of speech

nounformal

Chinese

诅咒；咒骂

Definition

A spoken curse; an offensive word used to express anger.

Word family

  • imprecate/ˈɪmprɪkeɪt/(v)诅咒

Collocations

  • hurl imprecations
  • muttered imprecations
  • stream of imprecations
  • bitter imprecations

Examples

  1. 1.The old woman hurled imprecations at the thieves as they fled with her purse. (curses)
  2. 2.A stream of imprecations followed him out of the pub after the argument. (swear words, curses)

Synonyms

  • curse/kɜːs/— expression of anger
  • malediction/ˌmælɪˈdɪkʃən/— a curse, formal
  • oath/əʊθ/— swear word

Etymology

from Latin "imprecari" — in- (upon) + precari (to pray) — to pray evil upon someone — a dark prayer