'animadvert' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'animadvertere', where 'animus' meant 'mind' and 'advertere' meant 'to turn toward'.

'animadvertere' passed into post-classical Latin and was taken into Middle French and learned English, eventually becoming the modern English verb 'animadvert'.

Initially, it meant 'to turn one’s mind toward; to notice or consider (often with disapproval)', which developed in English into the sense 'to remark critically; to censure'.