Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Averse

A-verse′

,
Adj.
[L.
aversus
, p. p. of
avertere
. See
Avert
.]
1.
Turned away or backward.
[Obs.]
The tracks
averse
a lying notice gave,
And led the searcher backward from the cave.
Dryden.
2.
Having a repugnance or opposition of mind; disliking; disinclined; unwilling; reluctant.
Averse
alike to flatter, or offend.
Pope.
Men who were
averse
to the life of camps.
Macaulay.
Pass by securely as men
averse
from war.
Micah ii. 8.
☞ The prevailing usage now is to employ to after averse and its derivatives rather than from, as was formerly the usage. In this the word is in agreement with its kindred terms, hatred, dislike, dissimilar, contrary, repugnant, etc., expressing a relation or an affection of the mind to an object.
Syn. –
Averse
,
Reluctant
,
Adverse
.
Averse expresses an habitual, though not of necessity a very strong, dislike;
as,
averse
to active pursuits;
averse
to study
. Reluctant, a term of the of the will, implies an internal struggle as to making some sacrifice of interest or feeling;
as,
reluctant
to yield
; reluctant to make the necessary arrangements; a reluctant will or consent. Adverse denotes active opposition or hostility;
as,
adverse
interests
; adverse feelings, plans, or movements; the adverse party.

A-verse′

,
Verb.
T.
&
I.
To turn away.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.

Webster 1828 Edition

Averse

AVERSE

,
Adj.
avers'. [See Avert.] The literal sense of this word is, turned from, in manifestation of dislike. Hence the real sense is,
1.
Disliking; unwilling; having a repugnance of mind.
Averse alike to flatter or offend.
2.
Unfavorable; indisposed; malign.
And Pallas now averse refused her aid.
This word and its derivatives ought to be followed by to, and never by from. This word includes the idea of from; but the literal meaning being lost, the affection of the mind signified by the word, is exerted towards the object of dislike, and like its kindred terms, hatred, dislike, contrary, repugnant, &c., should be followed by to. Indeed it is absurd to speak of an affection of the mind exerted from an object. Averse expresses a less degree of opposition in the mind, than detesting and abhorring.
Milton once uses averse in its literal sense, with from, but it is not according to the English idiom.

Similar Results