abominations

Abomination is a term used to describe something regarded with strong aversion or detestation. In general usage it marks acts, objects, or beings that are considered morally, ritually, or socially repugnant.

Etymology and historical usage: The word derives from Latin abominatio, via Old French abomination; it has been used since the Middle Ages in religious writing to designate practices or things deemed detestable under divine law.

Religious usage: In Judeo-Christian scripture, abominations often refer to practices such as idolatry, ritual impurity, certain prohibited foods, or other violations of sacred law. The term signals a breach of covenant and divine will, rather than mere displeasure.

Secular and cultural usage: In modern discourse, the term can label policies, behaviors, or phenomena regarded as deeply immoral by a community, including oppression or genocide. In literature, film, and popular culture, abomination is commonly applied to monstrous beings or corrupted composites—creations that symbolize ethical transgression or hubris.

See also: Monstrosity, taboo, and related concepts. The term remains widely used across disciplines to discuss moral judgment, contamination, and otherness.