Loath
[lohth, lohth] /loʊθ, loʊð/
adjective
1.
unwilling; reluctant; disinclined; averse:
to be loath to admit a mistake.
/ləʊθ/
adjective
1.
(usually foll by to) reluctant or unwilling
2.
nothing loath, willing
adj.
Old English lað “hated; hateful; hostile; repulsive,” from Proto-Germanic *laithaz (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian leth “loathsome,” Old Norse leiðr “hateful, hostile, loathed;” Middle Dutch lelijc, Dutch leelijk “ugly;” Old High German leid “sorrowful, hateful, offensive, grievous,” German Leid “sorrow;” French laid “ugly,” from Frankish *laid), from PIE root *leit- “to detest.”
Weakened meaning “averse, disinclined” is attested from late 14c. Loath to depart, a line from some long-forgotten song, is recorded since 1580s as a generic term expressive of any tune played at farewells, the sailing of a ship, etc. Related: Loathness.
Read Also:
- Loathe
[lohth] /loʊð/ verb (used with object), loathed, loathing. 1. to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor: I loathe people who spread malicious gossip. /ləʊð/ verb 1. (transitive) to feel strong hatred or disgust for v. Old English laðian “to hate, to be disgusted with,” from lað “hostile” (see loath). Cognate with Old Saxon lethon, […]
- Loathed
[lohth] /loʊð/ verb (used with object), loathed, loathing. 1. to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor: I loathe people who spread malicious gossip. /ləʊð/ verb 1. (transitive) to feel strong hatred or disgust for v. Old English laðian “to hate, to be disgusted with,” from lað “hostile” (see loath). Cognate with Old Saxon lethon, […]
- Loather
[lohth, lohth] /loʊθ, loʊð/ adjective 1. unwilling; reluctant; disinclined; averse: to be loath to admit a mistake. [lohth] /loʊð/ verb (used with object), loathed, loathing. 1. to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor: I loathe people who spread malicious gossip. /ləʊθ/ adjective 1. (usually foll by to) reluctant or unwilling 2. nothing loath, willing […]
- Loathful
[lohth -fuh l] /ˈloʊð fəl/ adjective 1. Scot. bashful; reluctant. 2. hateful; loathsome.
- Loathing
[loh-th ing] /ˈloʊ ðɪŋ/ noun 1. strong dislike or disgust; intense aversion. [lohth] /loʊð/ verb (used with object), loathed, loathing. 1. to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor: I loathe people who spread malicious gossip. /ˈləʊðɪŋ/ noun 1. abhorrence; disgust /ləʊð/ verb 1. (transitive) to feel strong hatred or disgust for n. “abhorrence,” mid-14c., […]