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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Reproch(e, n. Also: -protche; -proa(t)ch; (reprocha). [Late ME and e.m.E. reproche (c1420), -proach, F. reproche (1080 in Greimas); f. as Reproch(ev.]

1. A source or cause of blame or opprobrium (to a community). 1533 Boece 378.
We suld nocht think sa grete lak nor reproch, to obey the will of the victouris 1600-1610 Melvill 190.
The nobilitie … ar unlerned …, to the grait reprotche and schame of the countrey 1609 Aboyne Rec. 527.
An infamous byk of lawless lymmars and a foul reproche to any country

2. Shame, opprobrium or blame incurred by, or falling upon, a person; ill-repute. 1494 Loutfut MS 44a.
Thai sal tak twa noble damoisselles without reproche that neuyr war mareit 1533 Bell. Livy II 39/21.
To the grete diffame and reproche of Romanis, thay schew the pray … reft recentlie fra thare landis 1562-3 Winȝet I 7/17.
We maye nawayis of reasone, bot impute that cryme to the hie reproche of ȝour nobilitie 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I ii 126.
Thair hes bene placardis … set up … to the sclander, reproche, and infamye of the quenis majestie 1599 Reg. Privy C. VI 42. c1610 Melville Mem. 176.
The Erle Bodowell … a man full of reproch and grangoir 1612 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. V 47.
The said Margaret … salbe … to hir reproche and schame conveyit … furth of the tolbuthe 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS 14 Sept.
His cryme … waild procure great sclander and reproch to this congregatioun 1683 Dundee B. Laws 554.
By litting … with … vntrew cullors … to the … great scandall and reproatch of the petitioners

3. Censure, reproof or blame directed against a person or his actions.(1) 1494 Loutfut MS 39b.
He … was craintife for reproche and dowtit euer to schaw him in ony werkis 1513 Doug. i Prol. 74.
Na lovyngis ma do incres thy fame, Nor na reproche dymynew thy gud name 1531 Bell. 1531 Boece I cvi.
The more his eldaris fame is elevat, … The more is ay unto his vice reproche 1533 Boece 119.
He repute thame worth als grete reproche that defendit nocht thare awne rowmes [pr. rownes] as the invasouris of vtheris Ib. 170b.
The king … cryit ‘Mischeant men how dar ȝe presume to myssay me with sic reproche?’ a1585 Maitl. Q. 255/72.
Of nane sho standis na feir Nor of reproche ne aw 1680 Wodrow Hist. III (1829) 225 (see Ludibry n.).
Reproach — 1549 Compl. 17/13.
He that is expert in Latyn tong suld nocht put reproche to the compilation 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7559.
Our awin emprice … put reproche vnto ane vther quene(b) 1549 Compl. 127/32.
There for thou suld abstrak thy inuectiue reprocha, quhilk is rather crualte nor correctione(2) 1533 Bell. Livy II 216/16.
To thame that ar nocht myskennand na gude dedis suld be remembrit in reproche(3) 1533 Boece 100.
Diuers crymynal persons … quhilkis crynyt nowther reproche of honour nor fame a1568 Bann. Bann. MS 268b/48 heading.
Follows ballattis of the prayis of wemen and to the reproche of vicious men(4) 1622 Reg. Privy C. XII 649.
Sett by be thameselffis with a mark of reprotche over thair headis

4. Mockery, scorn, derision; an insult.Cf. e.m.E. in reproche of = in scorn of (once, 1494). a1568 Scott ii 102.
Than to Dalkeith thai maid thame boun, Reidwod of this reproche a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1690.
Londiners & al within the sound of Bowbel ar in reproch called Cockneyes

b. A rebuke or reproof; an expression of censure, reproach or blame. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1705 heading.
Ane reproche or reprufe to the emprice 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 90.
Scho that hes socht sic executioun of hir wrangful wraith, being prouokit be reproches [etc.] 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. vii title.
Ane reproch to the pratler