Loathe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Loathed; p. pr. & vb. n. Loathing.]
Etymology: [AS. la to hate. See Loath.]
1. To feel extreme disgust at, or aversion for. Loathing the honeyed cakes, I Ionged for bread. Cowley.
2. To dislike greatly; to abhor; to hate. The secret which I loathe. Waller. She loathes the vital sir. Dryden.
Syn. -- To hate; abhor; detest; abominate. See Hate.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Loathe, v. i.
To feel disgust or nausea. [Obs.]
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for loathe; he lists it under abhor.
Where he writes about it:
Loathe implies disgust, physical or moral. — from abhor
We loathe a reptile or a flatterer. — from abhor
Reluctant (L. re, back, and lucto, strive, struggle) signifies struggling against what one is urged or impelled to do, or is actually doing; averse (L. a, from, and verto, turn) signifies turned away as with dislike or repugnance; loath (AS. lath, evil, hateful) signifies having a repugnance, disgust, or loathing for, tho the adjective loath is not so strong as the verb loathe. — from reluctant