/ dɪˈtest; NAmE / verb
(not used in the progressive tenses) to hate sb/sth very much
SYN loathe :
[ vn ]
They detested each other on sight.
[also v -ing ] ➡ note at hate
► de·test·ation / ˌdiːteˈsteɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent.: from Latin detestari , from de- down + testari witness, call upon to witness (from testis a witness).