invective

See also invectivé

English

Etymology

From Latin invectīvus, from invectus, perfect passive participle of invehō (“bring in”), from in + vehō (“carry”). See vehicle, and compare with inveigh.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪnˈvɛktɪv/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪv

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 opprobrium, censure, or reproach on another.
4. A harsh or reproachful accusation.

   Politics can raise invective to a low art.

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

• (characterized by invection or railing): abusive, critical, denunciatory, satirical, vitriolic, vituperative

Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.

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French

Pronunciation

• Homophones: invectivent, invectives

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