loath

Meaning

Adjective

• Averse, disinclined; reluctant, unwilling.
• Angry, hostile.
• Loathsome, unpleasant.

Origin

• From Middle English lōth, from Old English lāð, lāþ, or Old Norse leið, leiðr from Proto-Germanic *laiþaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyt-. The word is cognate with Danish led, Dutch leed, French laid, Icelandic leiður, Italian laido, Old Frisian leed, Old High German leid (Middle High German leit, modern German leid, Leid), Old Saxon lêð, lēth, Swedish led.