misanthropy
(mɪˈsænθrəpɪ)
[ad. Gr. µῑσανθρωπία, f. µῑσάνθρωπος misanthrope. Cf. F. misanthropie (16th c.).]
Hatred of mankind; the character, nature, or condition of a misanthrope.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Misanthropie, an hating of men. 1725 Swift Let. to Pope 29 Sept., Upon this great foundation of Misanthropy, (tho' not in Timon's manner) the whole building of my Travels is erected. 1780 Harris Philol. Enq. Wks. (1841) 538 Bad opinions of mankind naturally lead us to misanthropy. 1828 Macaulay Ess., Hallam (1850) 75 Misanthropy is not the temper, which qualifies a man to act in great affairs, or to judge of them. 1866 W. R. Alger Solit. Nat. & Man iii. 123 Misanthropy..will be found almost always to be the revenge we take on mankind for fancied wrongs it has inflicted on us. |