dē-testor, ātus, 1
* V. dep. a.
* In relig. lang.
* To curse while calling a deity to witness, i. e. to execrate, abominate (for syn. cf.: abominari, adversari, abhorrere, horrere, devovere, execrari): cum (te) viderunt, tamquam auspicium malum detestantur,Cic. Vatin. 16, 39: omnibus precibus detestatus Ambiorigem, * Caes. B. G. 6, 31 fin.; cf.: caput euntis hostili prece,Ov. M. 15, 505: dira exsecratio ac furiale carmen detestandae familiae stirpique compositum,Liv. 10, 41: exitum belli civilis,Cic. Phil. 8, 2 fin. et saep.
* Transf., to avert from one's self by entreaty, to ward off, avert, remove, sc. an evil from one's self or others, = deprecari, to deprecate: ut a me quandam prope justam patriae querimoniam detester ac deprecer,Cic. Cat. 1, 11: memoriam consulatus tui a republica,id. Pis. 40, 96: invidiam,id. N. D. 1, 44, 123: o di immortales, avertite ac detestamini hoc omen,id. Phil. 4, 4, 10.
* In judic. lang., to renounce solemnly or under oath: detestatum est testatione denuntiatum,Dig. 50, 16, 238; cf. ib. § 40, and detestatio, II.: Servius Sulpicius in libro de sacris detestandis, etc.,Gell. 7, 12, 1.!*? In a pass. sense, Ap. Mag. p. 307, 24; August. Ep. ad Macr. 255.—Esp., in the part. perf., detested, abominated: detestata omnia ejusmodi repudianda sunt,Cic. Leg. 2, 11, 28: bella matribus detestata,Hor. Od. 1, 1, 25.
* To hate intensely, detest, abominate, abhor: causam auctoremque cladis,Tac. H. 2, 35 fin.: civilia arma adeo detestari,felt such abhorrence for,Suet. Oth. 10: sortem populi Romani,id. Claud. 3: viam pravam Vulg. Prov. 3, 13.

s. TLL