Definition of the word indignation

The origin of the word "indignation" can be traced back to the medieval Latin language, where it was spelled "indignatio." The term initially had a religious connotation, describing a feeling of moral outrage or disgust towards sinfulness or impiety. The English word "indignation" first appeared in the 14th century, derived from the Old French word "indignacioun," itself stemming from the Latin origin. The word initially had a broad meaning that encompassed both moral outrage and displeasure or dissatisfaction towards unfair treatment. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to solely describe feelings of moral or political outrage towards injustice or wrongdoing. The expanding use of the word can be seen in how it was used by politicians and activists of the Enlightenment era, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, and the Marquis de Sade, who employed the idea of indignation in their revolutionist discourse, advocating for social and political change through actions driven by feelings of moral outrage. In contemporary usage, indignation is often used to describe feelings of strong moral disgust and anger towards injustice, particularly in political and social discourse, as well as in religious contexts, where it is still associated with the concept of moral outrage towards sinfulness or impiety.