ˈōdēəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin; akin to Latin odi I hate, Old English atol terrible, horrible, Old Norse atall fierce, loathsome, Greek odyssasthai to be angry, Armenian ateam I hate, and perhaps to Latin odor — more at odor
1.
a. : the state or fact of being subjected to widespread or deep hatred and severe condemnation and often loathing or contempt usually as a result of a despicable act or blameworthy situation
these three artists had finally started losing their odium — Janet Flanner
b. : hatred and condemnation often marked by loathing or contempt and usually directed toward one guilty of or held responsible for some despicable act or situation : detestation
was compelled to … face the odium — John Buchan
heaps odium on those responsible for the defeat — Americas
would risk the odium that would come from overthrowing him — New York Times
2.
a.
(1) : the qualities of something (as a despicable act or situation) that excite hatred and condemnation and often loathing or contempt : hatefulness
has endeavored to remove that odium — Elmer Davis
(2) : a mark of disgrace or reproach : stigma
the whole odium fell on the girl — Margaret Mead
shift the burden and the odium of decision — G.B.Sansom
b. : great disrepute or infamy attached to something : opprobrium
prizefighting had not yet escaped the odium which clung to it throughout the bareknuckle days — F.R.Dulles
no odium attached to those who didn't go to fooball games — John Reed
eliminate the odium attaching to the word — William James
3. : an object of widespread or deep hatred and condemnation
other odiums were abolished — Mark Harris
Synonyms: see dishonor