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Webster 1913 Edition


Invective

In-vec′tive

,
Adj.
[L.
invectivus
: cf. F.
invectif
. See
Inveigh
.]
Characterized by invection; critical; denunciatory; satirical; abusive; railing.

In-vec′tive

,
Noun.
[F.
invective
.]
An expression which inveighs or rails against a person; a severe or violent censure or reproach; something uttered or written, intended to cast opprobrium, censure, or reproach on another; a harsh or reproachful accusation; – followed by
against
, having reference to the person or thing affected;
as, an
invective
against tyranny
.
Syn. – Abuse; censure; reproach; satire; sarcasm; railing; diatribe. See
Abuse
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Invective

INVEC'TIVE

,
Noun.
[L. inveho. See Inveigh.] A railing speech or expression; something uttered or written, intended to cast opprobrium, censure or reproach on another; a harsh or reproachful accusation. It differs from reproof, as the latter may come from a friend and be intended to the good of the person reproved; but invective proceeds from an enemy, and is intended to give pain or to injure.

INVEC'TIVE

,
Adj.
Satirical; abusive; railing.

Definition 2024


invective

invective

See also: invectivé

English

Noun

invective (plural invectives)

  1. An expression which inveighs or rails against a person.
  2. A severe or violent censure or reproach.
  3. Something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another.
    • 2013 September 14, Jane Shilling, “The Golden Thread: the Story of Writing, by Ewan Clayton, review [print edition: Illuminating language]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Review), page R28:
      [A] savage passage of 14th-century invective about the text-obsessed nerdiness of the Florentine bibliophile and friend of Petrarch, Niccolò Niccoli ...
  4. A harsh or reproachful accusation.
    Politics can raise invective to a low art.

Translations

Adjective

invective (comparative more invective, superlative most invective)

  1. Characterized by invection or railing.
    Tom's speeches became diatribes — each more invective than the last.

Synonyms


French

Pronunciation

Noun

invective f (plural invectives)

  1. invective

Verb

invective

  1. first-person singular present indicative of invectiver
  2. third-person singular present indicative of invectiver
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of invectiver
  4. first-person singular present subjunctive of invectiver
  5. second-person singular imperative of invectiver

Portuguese

Verb

invective

  1. first-person singular present subjunctive of invectivar
  2. third-person singular present subjunctive of invectivar
  3. third-person singular imperative of invectivar