A-vĕr'sion, n.

n. [Fr. aversion, Lat. aversio. See AVERT.] 1. Opposition or repugnance of mind; dislike; disinclination; reluctance; hatred. “Mutual aversion of races.” Prescott. It ought generally to be followed by to before the object. [See AVERSE.] Sometimes it admits of for. A freeholder is bred with an aversion to subjection. Addison. It is not difficult for a man to see that a person has conceived an aversion for him. Spectator.

2. Opposition or contrariety of nature;—applied to inanimate substances. “Magnesia, notwithstanding this aversion to solution, forms a kind of paste with water.” Fourcroy, Trans.
3. The object of repugnance. “Pain their aversion, pleasure their desire.” Pope.

Syn.—AVERSION, RELUCTANCE, REPUGNANCE, DISGUST, ANTIPATHY. Aversion denotes a fixed and habitual dislike, though not necessarily a very strong one; as, an aversion for business. Reluctance and repugnance are stronger, and denote a mental strife or hostility against something proposed (repugnance being the stronger); as, a reluctance to make the necessary sacrifices, and a repugnance to the submissions required. Disgust is repugnance either of taste or moral feeling; as, a disgust for gross exhibitions of selfishness. Antipathy is primarily a constitutional disgust or loathing of a thing, such as most persons feel for a snake. When used figuratively, it denotes a correspondent dislike for certain persons, modes of acting, &c. Men have an aversion for what breaks in upon their habits; a reluctance and repugnance to what crosses their will; a disgust for what offends their sensibilities; and are often governed by antipathies for which they can give no good reason.