'animadversion' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'animadversiō,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward', 'vertere' meant 'to turn', and 'animus' meant 'mind' (i.e., turning one’s mind toward something).

'animadversiō' transformed via Middle French 'animadversion' and eventually became the Early Modern English word 'animadversion', from which the plural 'animadversions' is formed.

Initially, it meant 'attention or notice; also censure or punishment,' but over time it narrowed to the modern sense of 'critical remark; censure.'