Contents
English
Etymology
From Latin imprecātio (“‘calling down of curses’”) < imprecor (“‘call down, invoke’”) < in- (“‘towards’”) + precor (“‘pray’”).
Pronunciation
Noun
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Singular imprecation |
Plural imprecations |
imprecation (plural imprecations)
- The act of imprecating, or invoking evil upon someone; a prayer that a curse or calamity may befall someone.
- 1893, Stephen Crane, Maggie, Girl of the Streets, ch. 10:
- Her son turned to look at her as she reeled and swayed in the middle of the room, her fierce face convulsed with passion, her blotched arms raised high in imprecation. "May Gawd curse her forever," she shrieked.
- 1893, Stephen Crane, Maggie, Girl of the Streets, ch. 10:
- A curse.
- 1839, Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, ch. 3:
- Mr. Gamfield growled a fierce imprecation on the donkey generally, but more particularly on his eyes; and, running after him, bestowed a blow on his head.
- 1839, Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, ch. 3:
Related terms
See also
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