14 January 2019
imprecation
[im-pri-key-shuh n]
noun
1. the act of imprecating; cursing.
2. a curse; malediction.
Origin of imprecation
Latin
1575-1585; < Latin imprecātiōn- (stem of imprecātiō), equivalent to imprecāt(us) (see imprecate ) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for imprecation
Historical Examples
He laughed again in one low burst that was as spiteful as an imprecation.
Tales of Unrest
Joseph Conrad
An imprecation of a sufficiently emphatic character was the only reply.
David Elginbrod
George MacDonald
Then, with an imprecation upon his lips, he turned and retired.
The Minister of Evil
William Le Queux
He vainly strives to rally under the fire of imprecation, but it is too late.
Marion’s Faith.
Charles King
With an imprecation of wrath he called his companion’s attention to the spot.
A Prisoner of Morro
Upton Sinclair
A torrent of imprecation rose to his lips, but he left it unuttered.
The Royal Pawn of Venice
Mrs. Lawrence Turnbull
An imprecation on a person who has surpassed another in an undertaking.
The Proverbs of Scotland
Alexander Hislop
In what do anathema, curse, execration, and imprecation agree?
English Synonyms and Antonyms
James Champlin Fernald
“That imprecation had better have been spared, madam,” said the duke.
Windsor Castle
William Harrison Ainsworth
Now, the Queen muttered an imprecation, and called the name ‘Abarak!’
The Shaving of Shagpat, Complete
George Meredith
Today’s quote
Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.
– Anais Nin
On this day
14 January 1892 – birth of Martin Niemoller, German pastor. Niemoller originally supported Adolf Hitler, however, he soon realised he’d made a mistake. He blamed Hitler’s rise to power and the ensuing war and genocide, on the support and acceptance of his policies from churches and ordinary citizens, as well as the lack of speaking up against injustice. Niemoller is most well known for his statement, ‘First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me’. Died 6 March 1984.
14 January 1977 – death of Anais Nin, French-Cuban author. Born 21 February 1903.
14 January 1984 – death of Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s Corporation … and the Big Mac … Born 5 October 1902. Kroc had bought out Dick and Mac McDonald’s barbeque and hamburger food chain before establishing the franchise network of fast-food restaurants.