abhorrence(noun)- a feeling of repulsion; disgusted loathing

source- https://www.google.com/search?q=abhorrence+definition&oq=abhorrence+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.7783j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

On page 92 of Quicksand by Nella Larsen it says, ” And the white men dance with colored women. Now you know, Helga Crane, that can mean only one thing.’ Anne’s voice was trembling with cold hatred. As she ended, she made a little clicking noise with her tongue., indicating an abhorrence too great for words.”

After searching the definition of the word I think the word is important. Anne is a friend of Helga. She is disgusted and hates colored people. Now this makes Helga insecure about her being bi-racial. It helps the reader understand how white people felt about black people.