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invectiveness - 2 dictionary results

in⋅vec⋅tive

   [in-vek-tiv]
–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
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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in·vec·tive     (ĭn-věk'tĭv)  Pronunciation Key 
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 © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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