Animadverts

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Shows or directs blame or harsh criticism toward someone or something
2. Communicates a negative judgment or condemns actions or behavior
3. Indicates strong resentment or disapproval often in words or actions

Etymology: "Animadverts" is the third-person singular form of "animadvert," a verb that today means to express disapproval or criticism, but whose original sense was literally to turn the mind toward something. Its building blocks are Latin "animum," meaning "mind" (the accusative form of "animus," a word for mind, soul, or life force), and "advertō," meaning "to turn to," itself made from "ad-" ("to") and "vertō" ("to turn"). Put together, the Latin verb "animadvertō" meant to direct one's attention to something, to notice or perceive. That neutral sense of noticing is the thread that leads to the modern meaning. To turn your mind toward a thing is to take notice of it, and to take notice of someone's conduct, especially in a critical spirit, shades naturally into passing judgment on it. English kept both threads: "animadvert" can still mean simply to comment, but in ordinary use it has come to carry the sharper flavour of reproof, so that a speaker who animadverts on a policy is usually pointing out its faults.

Synonyms: remarks, comments, critiques, observations, discussions