Old English lae "hated; hateful; hostile; repulsive," from Proto-Germanic *laithaz (cognates: Old Saxon, Old Frisian leth "loathsome," Old Norse leier "hateful, hostile, loathed;" Middle Dutch lelijc, Dutch leelijk "ugly;" Old High German leid "sorrowful, hateful, offensive, grievous," German Leid "sorrow;" French laid "ugly," from Frankish (Germanic) *laid), from PIE root *leit- "to detest."
Weakened meaning "averse, disinclined" is attested from late 14c. Loath to depart, a line from some long-forgotten song, is recorded since 1580s as a generic term expressive of any tune played at farewells, the sailing of a ship, etc. Related: Loathness.
雙語例句
1. I felt loath to sully the gleaming brass knocker by handling it.
我不愿意伸手去抓那閃亮的黃銅門環，怕把它弄臟。
來自柯林斯例句
2. He was loath to admit his mistake.
他不愿承認自己的錯誤。
來自《權威詞典》
3. He is loath to get out of bed on cold mornings.