Word of the Day

Monday September 21, 2009

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imprecation [im-prih-KAY-shuhn]

noun

1. The act of imprecating, or invoking evil upon someone.
2. A curse.

• But on it rolled, impervious to our shouts and imprecations.
  John Kelly, "Pining for the Train That Got Away", The Washington Post, Apr 30, 2009
• It was a day for brandishing signs, shouting imprecations and donning silly clothing: tricorn hats and breeches, bonnets and petticoats.
  Lawrence Downes, "Don't Tread on Them", New York Times, Apr 7, 2009
• Cuss rapped at the parlour door and entered. There was a fairly audible imprecation from within. "Pardon my intrusion," said Cuss, and then the door closed and cut Mrs. Hall off from the rest of the conversation.
  H. G. Wells (1866 – 1946) An English author, best known for the science fiction genre. The Invisible Man (1897)

Origin of the Word

Imprecation, approximately 1448, from Latin imprecationem from imprecari "invoke, pray," from in- "within" + precari "to pray, ask beg, request."