animadversion

Noun

animadversion (countable and uncountable, plural animadversions)

1. (countable) A criticism, a critical remark.
   • [A] misconstruction or misinterpretation, nay, the misplacing of a comma, was in Gifford's eyes a crime worthy of the most severe animadversion.January 1827, Sir Walter Scott, The Journal of Sir Walter Scott
   • While the censorious man is most severe in judging others, he is invariably the most ready to repel any animadversions made upon himself; upon the principle well understood in medical circles, that the feeblest bodies are always the most sensitive.1895, Elias Lyman Magoon, reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, p. 357

   Synonyms:

   criticization, critique, stricture, criticism, dressing-down, handbagging, slam

2. (uncountable) The state or characteristic of being animadversive.
   • He was deceived; for justice hath also knowledge and animadversion over such as gather stubble (as the common saying is) or looke about for grape-seed.1603, (translator unknown), Essayes, volumes 5-6, translation of original by Michel de Montaigne, pages 3–4
   • Nor have I scrupled, in so flagrant a case, to allow myself a severity of animadversion little congenial with the general spirit of these papers.1788, Alexander Hamilton, “The Federalist Papers”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), number 67, The Executive Department

   Synonyms:

   animadversiveness