Animosities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Animosity \An`i*mos"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Animosities}. [F.
     animosit['e], fr. L. animositas. See {Animose}, {Animate}, v.
     t.]
     1. Mere spiritedness or courage. [Obs.] --Skelton.
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              Such as give some proof of animosity, audacity, and
              execution, those she [the crocodile] loveth.
                                                    --Holland.
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     2. Violent hatred leading to active opposition; active
        enmity; energetic dislike. --Macaulay.
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     Syn: Enmity; hatred; opposition. -- {Animosity}, {Enmity}.
          Enmity be dormant or concealed; animosity is active
          enmity, inflamed by collision and mutual injury between
          opposing parties. The animosities which were continually
          springing up among the clans in Scotland kept that
          kingdom in a state of turmoil and bloodshed for
          successive ages. The animosities which have been
          engendered among Christian sects have always been the
          reproach of the church.
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                Such [writings] as naturally conduce to inflame
                hatreds and make enmities irreconcilable.
                                                    --Spectator.
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                [These] factions . . . never suspended their
                animosities till they ruined that unhappy
                government.                         --Hume.
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