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Word of the Day Archive
Wednesday March 3, 2004

invective \in-VEK-tiv\, noun:
1. An abusive expression or speech; a vehement verbal attack.
2. Insulting or abusive language.

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

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

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

Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation for invective

 

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