ENMITY

[en.mi.ty] n, pl -ties [ME enmite, fr. MF enemite, fr. OF enemiste, fr. enemi enemy] (13c): positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will syn enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will. enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed "an unspoken enmity". hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression "hostility between the two nations". antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility "a natural antipathy for self-seekers" "antagonism between the brothers". animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility "animosity that led to revenge". rancor is esp. applied to bitter brooding over a wrong "rancor filled every line of his letters". animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice "objections devoid of personal animus".