- animadversion
- 1590s, "criticism, blame," also sometimes in early use simply "notice, attention" (now obs.), from L. animadversionem (nom. animadversio) "perception, observation," noun of action from animadverte "to take cognizance of," lit. "to turn the mind to," from animum, accusative of animus "mind," + advertere "to turn to" (see advertise). The sense of "to take notice of as a fault" was in L., in fact animadverto at times was a euphemism for "to punish with death."