Word of the Day

Monday, March 19, 2001

invective

\in-VEK-tiv\ , noun;

An abusive expression or speech; a vehement verbal attack.

Insulting or abusive language.

adjective:

Of, relating to, or characterized by insult, abuse, or denunciatory language.

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Quotes:

But one can also note that he chose a fitting image for himself, going out in a duel of honor, armed all over with spikes of witty invective and a specialised knowledge of insult.

-- Adrian Frazier, George Moore, 1852-1933

They all seemed to be in their usual mood of precarious good humour which could splinter at any moment into invective and menacing gesture.

-- Alice Thomas Ellis, Pillars of Gold

One evening John Mitchell, slightly in his cups, let loose at Whalen with a mess of invective about writers, their inflated notion of their importance to political campaigns, and the need to keep them in their place.

-- Leonard Garment, In Search of Deep Throat

Political satire at the expense of governments or institutions is one thing. Personal invective is another.

-- Victoria Glendinning, Jonathan Swift: A Portrait

Origin:

Invective comes from Late Latin invectivus, "reproachful, abusive," from Latin invectus, past participle of invehi, "to inveigh against."