Word of the Day

Friday February 12, 2010

execrable [EK-sih-kruh-buhl]

adjective

Deserving to be execrated; detestable; abominable; damnable.
Of very poor quality or condition.

What holiday maker has not endured a coach tour to a site of interest with 20 or more trippers? There is the inane commentary, stops for photo opportunities, a bossy guide who gets the historical details wrong. Still to endure is the execrable lunch and shopping trip to an emporium specialising in sombrero hats and felt bulls.

Jenny Knight, "The perfect fit; Relax and let the experts book you a bespoke break", The Times, Jan 23, 2010
"Its outside presented only the appearance of a quiet private residence. A stranger looking at it, would never have dreamed of its execrable uses. Strange as it may seem, within plain sight of this same house, looking down from its commanding height upon it, was the Capitol. The voices of patriotic representatives boasting of freedom and equality, and the rattling of a poor slave's chains, almost commingled. A slave pen within the very shadow of the Capitol!"

Paul N. Herbert, "Deep devilry on Duke Street; Alexandria's slave pen recalls evil commerce", Washington Times, Nov 5, 2009
A Russian who stood beside me was desperate. He spoke execrable French, and cried excitedly: "Comment donc! je ne puis pas quitter le pays et j'ai une famille et trois femmes!" Poor Bluebeard!

Harriet Julia Jephson A War-time Journal, Germany 1914 and German Travel Notes (1915)

Origin of the Word

Execrable, approximately 1390, derives from Latin execrabilis, from execrari "to curse," from ex- , "out of, away from, outside of" + sacrare "to devote to."