Part 237

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 disgraceful 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.

Re*proach"a*blr (-?-b'l), a. [Cf. F. reprochable.]

1. Deserving reproach; censurable.

2. Opprobrius; scurrilous. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

-- Re*proach"a*ble*ness, n. -- Re*proach"a*bly, adv.

Re*proach"er (-?r), n. One who reproaches.

Re*proach"ful (-f?l), a. 1. Expressing or containing reproach; upbraiding; opprobrious; abusive.