Part 228

De*ter"rence (?), n. That which deters; a deterrent; a hindrance. [R.]

De*ter"rent (?), a. [L. deterrens, p. pr. of deterrere. See Deter.] Serving to deter. "The deterrent principle." E. Davis.

De*ter"rent, n. That which deters or prevents.

De*ter"sion (?), n. [Cf. F. détersion. See Deterge.] The act of deterging or cleansing, as a sore.

De*ter"sive (?), a. [Cf. détersif.] Cleansing; detergent. -- n. A cleansing agent; a detergent.

De*ter"sive*ly, adv. In a way to cleanse.

De*ter"sive*ness, n. The quality of cleansing.

De*test" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detested; p. pr. & vb. n. Detesting.] [L. detestare, detestatum, and detestari, to curse while calling a deity to witness, to execrate, detest; de + testari to be a witness, testify, testis a witness: cf. F. détester. See Testify.] 1. To witness against; to denounce; to condemn. [Obs.]

The heresy of Nestorius . . . was detested in the Eastern churches.

Fuller.

God hath detested them with his own mouth.

Bale.

2. To hate intensely; to abhor; to abominate; to loathe; as, we detest what is contemptible or evil.

Who dares think one thing, and another tell, My heart detests him as the gates of hell.

Pope.

Syn. -- To abhor; abominate; execrate. See Hate.

De*test`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. Capacity of being odious. [R.] Carlyle.

De*test"a*ble (?), a. [L. detestabilis: cf. F. détestable.] Worthy of being detested; abominable; extremely hateful; very odious; deserving abhorrence; as, detestable vices.

Thou hast defiled my sanctuary will all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations.

Ezek. v. 11.

Syn. -- Abominable; odious; execrable; abhorred.

De*test"a*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being detestable.

De*test"a*bly, adv. In a detestable manner.

De*tes"tate (?), v. t. To detest. [Obs.] Udall.

Det`es*ta"tion (?; 277), n. [L. detestatio: cf. F. détestation.] The act of detesting; extreme hatred or dislike; abhorrence; loathing.

We are heartily agreed in our detestation of civil war.

Burke.

De*test"er (?), n. One who detests.