Inimical- correct usage?

Question

I used this sentence in an essay for english class on Hamlet, and my teacher insisted that I was contradicting myself, and that I had used the word incorrectly. I really don't see it though.
Okay, here's the sentence:
"Claudius' almost fawning manner- most inimical to his desire to appear a strong leader- becomes rather tiresome , I feel...." blah blah bla, you get the picture.

Here's the definitions for inimical I found:

1

: being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence <forces inimical to democracy>

2

a : having the disposition of an enemy : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostile <inimical factions> b : reflecting or indicating hostility : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfriendly <his father's inimical glare>

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Definition 1 seems to be appropriate for my sentence, yet I was told the I had used inimical as a noun, and that it contradicted the description of Claudius as 'fawning'.

However, I was under the impression that I had used inimical to refer to the way in which Claudius' excessive flattery undermined his position of authority.

Anywayz, anyone know the answer??

Avangi · Accepted Answer

What's the question?

Your usage is correct, and you are using it as an adjective, in my opinion.

I don't like either of the two definitions you quote. They seem too "physical," or something like that.

You do something which "damages" (or "can damage") your objectives, or those of someone else. It may be completely unintentional. It surely doesn't have to be hostile.

It's a high-falutin word, clearly not used in casual conversation, except by holders of advanced degrees.

I remember losing confidence in a professor of psychology when he insisted on pronouncing it as "inimicable."

If I say, "Your (action) is an enemy to your objective," enemy is a noun. (noun complement to linking verb)

If I say, "Your (action) is inimical to your objective," inimical is an adjective. (adjective complement to linking verb)

Edit. Okay, your definition says "often hostile."

But in your specific usage, it is not.

My definition 1. in my American Heritage is (adj.) not conducive; harmful; adverse. (far from deliberately hostile)

#2. is unfriendly; hostile; antagonistic.

Perhaps I'm being too unfriendly to "hostile." I usually assume there's intention. (a hostile takover)

But you can have a hostile environment - no intention!

BarbaraPA · Answer

Your teacher didn't read your sentence correctly. Claudius is not both fawning and inimical, which is apparently how your teacher read it. His fawning actions are inimical to his goal of appearing strong.

Your sentence is fine.

Anonymous · Answer

AvangiI don't like either of the two definitions you quote. They seem too "physical," or something like that.

I don't know, I got it from Merriam-Websters online dictionary, I thought it was reliable. And the questions in the title of the thread!! Haha, though I do realise that was kind of a weird wrap up sentence....

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Thanks both of you guys, I needed some reassurance, because my teacher said she had consulted 3 other english teachers, and they had agreed that it wasn't used correctly....Maybe the rest of the sentence was a little awkward, but.....

I'll show her!

Avangi · Answer

I dare say the majority of native speakers of English have never used the word.

I meant to soften my criticism of your definitions. They both used "hostile," and I was thinking of "hostile" only in terms of deliberate/intentional agression. (open hostility)

I suppose it can simply mean "adverse."

Khoff · Answer

Sometimes it's best not to argue with a teacher if you have pointed out an error on their part and they don't agree with you.  But for your own satisfaction, I agree that your sentence was fine.

Inimical- correct usage?

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