detestabiles

Detestabiles is a Latin adjective form meaning “worthy of detestation” or “detestable.” In classical and medieval Latin, it is the nominative plural masculine and feminine of detestabilis, and it is used to modify plural nouns to express strong moral disapproval.

Etymology and form: detestabiles derives from detestabilis, with the plural ending -es. The root detest- comes from detestare, “to detest,” and the suffix -abilis conveys “able to be” or “worthy of.” As a result, detestabiles literally means “things that are detestable” when used in plural reference.

Usage and examples: In Latin, detestabiles typically modifies nouns in the masculine or feminine plural, for example detestabiles acta (“detestable deeds”) or criminalia detestabilia (“detestable crimes”). The form is primarily a descriptive tool within texts to emphasize moral repugnance or condemnation. In many Latin corpora, it appears in the sense of “worthy of detestation” rather than as a standalone modern term.

Modern reception: Detestabiles is not used as a contemporary English term; it appears mainly in discussions of Latin grammar, lexicography, or historical Latin texts. In English-language scholarship, the related English adjectives detestable and detestability are used instead, with detestabiles referenced mainly as the Latin plural form of the corresponding Latin adjective.

Related forms: The cognate detestabilis is the singular form; detestabile is the neuter stem form. English equivalents include detestable and detestability, while Latin references may cite detestabiles as the plural form for grammatical reference.