Origin: 1525–35; < Middle Frenchdetester < Latindētestārī to call down a curse upon, loathe, equivalent to dē-de- + testārī to bear witness; see testate
Related forms
de·test·er, noun
un·de·test·ed, adjective
un·de·test·ing, adjective
Synonyms abhor, loathe, abominate, execrate, despise. See hate.
early 15c., from M.Fr. detester, from L. detestari "express abhorrence for," lit. "denounce with one's testimony," from de- "from, down" + testari "be a witness," from testis "witness" (see testament). Originally also trans., "to curse, to call God to witness and abhor."