First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
enmity
noun en·mi·ty \ˈen-mə-tē\
: a very deep unfriendly feeling
plural en·mi·ties
Full Definition of ENMITY
: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will
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Examples of ENMITY
- Bin Laden may no longer be supplying directions and funding, but his ethos of enmity lives on. —Michael Hirsh et al., Newsweek, 10 June 2002
- What has earned her the enmity of so many peers is her indiscriminate outspokenness. —Karen Springer, Newsweek, 10 June 1996
- Battles over slavery in the territories broke the second party system apart and then shaped a realigned system that emphasized sectional enmity. —Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
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Origin of ENMITY
Middle English enmite, from Anglo-French enemité, enemisté, from enemi enemy
Related to ENMITY
Synonym Discussion of ENMITY
enmity, hostility, antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will. enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed <an unspoken enmity>. hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression <hostility between the two nations>. antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility <a natural antipathy for self-seekers> <antagonism between the brothers>. animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility <animosity that led to revenge>. rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong <rancor filled every line of his letters>. animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice <objections devoid of personal animus>.
ENMITIES Defined for Kids
enmity
noun en·mi·ty \ˈen-mə-tē\
plural en·mi·ties
Definition of ENMITY for Kids
: hatred especially when shared : ill will
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