Adoration

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌæ.dəˈɹeɪ.ʃən/

Definitions

1. Intense love, reverence, or worship directed toward a person, deity, or thing held in the highest regard
2. Profound devotion and deep affection expressed toward someone or something viewed as supremely worthy of honor and love
3. Deep reverence combined with passionate love for a person, divine being, or object of supreme importance

Etymology: Latin "adōrō" literally meant "to beg towards" or "to beseech," built from "ad" ("to, towards") and "ōrō" ("beg" or "pray"). The verb's original sense was about pleading with a god or a powerful person, so an act of supplication sits at the root of the word's later meaning of ardent love. The noun came into English by way of Middle French "adoration," which was itself borrowed from Latin "adōrātiō," meaning worship. For centuries the word kept that religious sense, describing the reverent honour given to a deity, and this remains its primary sense in Christian and other religious contexts. The move to romantic and affectionate devotion came later, as the verb "adore" weakened from worship toward deep admiration and love. The noun followed that shift, so "adoration" now describes intense love for a person as readily as reverence for a god.

Synonyms: worship, admiration, devotion, reverence, veneration

Antonyms: hatred, disdain, contempt, disrespect, aversion