obnoxious
/əbˈnɒk.ʃəs/
adjective
Origin
Latin
obnoxius — exposed to danger or harm
Overview
Meaning Now
- Extremely unpleasant, offensive, or objectionable.
Literal older meaning
exposed to harm or liable to suffering
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
obnoxius
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The word underwent a 'pejoration' shift in the 17th century. Originally, it meant that someone was 'subject to' or 'at the mercy of' something else (often negative consequences). Over time, it transitioned to describe the character of the thing that causes such irritation or offense.
Evolution
- Latin
obnoxius
“subject to, exposed to, or liable to punishment”
Composed of 'ob' (in the way of) and 'noxa' (harm/injury).
- 16th-century English
obnoxious
“vulnerable to harm; subject to authority”
Used to describe a state of being susceptible to outside influence.
- 17th-century English
obnoxious
“offensive or highly disagreeable”
The meaning shifted from 'being liable to harm' to 'being a source of harm or annoyance'.
Connections
Word parts
ob-
prefix
against, in the way of
nox-
root
harm, injury
-ious
suffix
full of, having the quality of
Related across languages
French
obnoxieux
obnoxious
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Related to obnoxious
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.