Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
invective - 5 dictionary results
Motley
Get Insight Into The Latest Stocks & Much More In Our Free Report!
www.fool.com
Invective Definition
Find Definitions For Any Word.Get Your Free Dictionary.com Toolbar.
Dictionary.com

in⋅vec⋅tive

  [in-vek-tiv]
Use invective in a Sentence
–noun
1. vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach.
2. a railing accusation; vituperation.
3. an insulting or abusive word or expression.
–adjective
4. vituperative; denunciatory; censoriously abusive.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < LL invectīvus abusive, equiv. to L invect(us) (ptp. of invehī to attack with words, inveigh ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
in⋅vec⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
in⋅vec⋅tive⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. contumely, scorn. See abuse.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To invective
in·vec·tive   (ĭn-věk'tĭv)   
n.  
  1. Denunciatory or abusive language; vituperation.
  2. Denunciatory or abusive expression or discourse.
adj.  Of, relating to, or characterized by denunciatory or abusive language.

[From Middle English invectif, denunciatory, from Old French, from Late Latin invectīvus, reproachful, abusive, from Latin invectus, past participle of invehī, to inveigh against; see inveigh.]
in·vec'tive·ly adv., in·vec'tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Invective

In*vec"tive\, a. [L. invectivus: cf. F. invectif. See Inveigh.] Characterized by invection; critical; denunciatory; satirical; abusive; railing.

Invective

In*vec"tive\, n. [F. invective.] An expression which inveighs or rails against a person; a severe or violent censure or reproach; something uttered or written, intended to cast opprobrium, censure, or reproach on another; a harsh or reproachful accusation; -- followed by against, having reference to the person or thing affected; as an invective against tyranny.

The world will be able to judge of his [Junius'] motives for writing such famous invectives. --Sir W. Draper.

Syn: Abuse; censure; reproach; satire; sarcasm; railing; diatribe. See Abuse.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

invective  (n.)
1523, from a M.E. adj. (1430), "characterized by denunciatory language," from L.L. invectivus "abusive," from L. invectus, pp. of invehi "to attack with words" (see inveigh). For nuances of usage, see humor.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see invective on Thesaurus | Reference
Motley
Get Insight Into The Latest Stocks & Much More In Our Free Report!
www.fool.com