loath Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
    loth; reluctant.
    • a reluctant smile
    • loath to admit a mistake
  2. adjective satellite (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
    antipathetical; indisposed; antipathetic; loth; averse.
    • antipathetic to new ideas
    • averse to taking risks
    • loath to go on such short notice
    • clearly indisposed to grant their request

WordNet

Loath adjective
Etymology
OE. looth, loth, AS. la hostile, odious; akin to OS. l, G. leid, Icel. leir, Sw. led, G. leiden to suffer, OHG. lidan to suffer, go, cf. AS. lian to go, Goth. leipan, and E. lead to guide.
Definitions
  1. Hateful; odious; disliked. Obs. Chaucer.
  2. Filled with disgust or aversion; averse; unwilling; reluctant; as, loath to part.
    Full loth were him to curse for his tithes. Chaucer
    .
    Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content. Shak.

Webster 1913