The spelling of the word "invidious" is not as straightforward as it may appear. The pronunciation of this word is /ɪnˈvɪdiəs/, which reveals the unique spelling of each phoneme. The letter "i" is pronounced with a short "ih" sound, accentuated by the following consonant "n." The "v" sound is represented by the letters "v" itself. The following "i" is pronounced as a schwa sound or a light "uh" sound, which is different from the first "i." Lastly, the "d" sound is represented by the letter "d," followed by "i" pronounced with a short "ih" sound and "us" sounding like "ee-uhs."
Invidious is an adjective that describes something that is likely to arouse resentment or hatred in others due to its unfair or offensive nature. It refers to actions, situations, or statements that are unjust, discriminatory, or offensive, thus creating unpleasant or harmful consequences.
The term often applies to situations characterized by unjust distinctions or unfavorable comparisons. It can be used to describe actions that result in feelings of envy, animosity, or ill will. For instance, if a manager at a workplace shows favoritism towards a specific employee, it may create an invidious atmosphere among coworkers, leading to a sense of unjust treatment and possible resentment among those who feel disadvantaged.
Furthermore, "invidious" can also refer to statements or comments that aim to defame, belittle, or insult someone, often promoting feelings of animosity or judgment among others. Such remarks can perpetuate divisiveness, tarnish reputations, or incite hostility. It is important to note that these statements are not merely criticism or disagreement, but rather, they have a malicious or harmful intent.
Overall, the term "invidious" encapsulates unfairness, discrimination, and offensiveness, highlighting actions or situations that lead to discord, resentment, or a sense of injustice. It is a powerful term often used to identify social, economic, or personal circumstances that are likely to create negative emotions and consequences.
Likely to incur or provoke ill-will, envy, or hatred.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "invidious" comes from the Latin term "invidiosus", which is derived from the verb "invidere". "Invidere" is a combination of two elements: "in", which means "into", and "videre", which means "to see". Hence, "invidere" initially meant "to look at with envy or ill will", and "invidiosus" described something or someone that provoked envy or ill will. Over time, the term evolved to refer to anything that incites resentment, discontent, or unfair judgment.