Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Reproach?

\Re*proach"\ (r?-pr?ch"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Reproached} (-pr?cht"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Reproaching}.] [F. reprocher, OF. reprochier, (assumed) LL. reproriare; L. pref. re- again, against, back + prope near; hence, originally, to bring near to, throw in one's teeth. Cf. {Approach}.] 1. To come back to, or come home to, as a matter of blame; to bring shame or disgrace upon; to disgrace. [Obs.] I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, For that he knew you, might reproach your life. --Shak. 2. To attribute blame to; to allege something disgracefull against; to charge with a fault; to censure severely or contemptuously; to upbraid. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ. --1 Peter iv. 14. That this newcomer, Shame, There sit not, and reproach us as unclean. --Milton. Mezentius . . . with his ardor warmed His fainting friends, reproached their shameful flight. Repelled the victors. --Dryden. Syn: To upbraid; censure; blame; chide; rebuke; condemn; revile; vilify.
\Re*proach"\, n. [F. reproche. See {Reproach}, v.] 1. The act of reproaching; censure mingled with contempt; contumelious or opprobrious language toward any person; abusive reflections; as, severe reproach. No reproaches even, even when pointed and barbed with the sharpest wit, appeared to give him pain. --Macaulay. Give not thine heritage to reproach. --Joel ii. 17. 2. A cause of blame or censure; shame; disgrace. 3. An object of blame, censure, scorn, or derision. Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. --Neh. ii. 17. Syn: Disrepute; discredit; dishonor; opprobrium; invective; contumely; reviling; abuse; vilification; scurrility; insolence; insult; scorn; contempt; ignominy; shame; scandal;; disgrace; infamy.