The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Detest \De*test"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detested; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Detesting.] [L. detestare, detestatum, and detestari, to
   curse while calling a deity to witness, to execrate, detest;
   de + testari to be a witness, testify, testis a witness: cf.
   F. d['e]tester. See Testify.]
   1. To witness against; to denounce; to condemn. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The heresy of Nestorius . . . was detested in the
            Eastern churches.                     --Fuller.
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            God hath detested them with his own mouth. --Bale.
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   2. To hate intensely; to abhor; to abominate; to loathe; as,
      we detest what is contemptible or evil.
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            Who dares think one thing, and another tell,
            My heart detests him as the gates of hell. --Pope.

   Syn: To abhor; abominate; execrate. See Hate.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

detest
    v 1: dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards; "I
         hate Mexican food"; "She detests politicians" [syn: hate,
         detest] [ant: love]