animadversive

English

Adjective

animadversive (not comparable)

1. (archaic) Having the ability to perceive; percipient.
   • 1642, Henry More, “The Immortal Soul”, in A platonick song of the soul‎^[1]:

     If soul were the material form of the body, it would be no better than the lower "Mundane sprite," which has no animadversive power either.

2. Critical or characterized by disapproval.
   • 1843, "City Election," Punch, vol. 5, p. 181:

     The disgraceful conduct of the Returning Officer for the City of London Election has been the subject of animadversive conversation in our own particular circle.

   • 1863, George Pound, "Reading Branch: President's Address," British Medical Journal, vol. 2, p. 33:

     The conduct of the medical practitioner was denounced by one of the jurors as "mercenary"; and a special verdict, animadversive of the practice (if it be a practice), was entered.

Related terms

• animadversion
• animadvert