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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913. | 
