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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, v. Also: -protch(e; -proa(t)ch. [e.m.E. reproch(e (to a person), to cast up to (Caxton), to reject (1534), to rebuke (1586), F. reprocher (15th c. in Larousse). Cf. also rare ME reproce and repruce (both a1325).] tr.

1. To bring or cast up (a fault, etc.) (to a person) as a matter for reproach. c1490 Reg. Panmure I xxv.
Ane innocent voman, and to quhome no man could reproche any notoure fault 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 25.
And all this wes … reprochit to thame be the doaris of thir mischevis

b. Once, in Bell. Livy: ? To recall with reproaches. 1533 Bell. Livy I 173/7.
The pepill … ran with grete cumpanyis to Seruilius consull, ilkane reprocheand the promisis maid be him

2 To upbraid, blame, censure (a person); to revile or abuse.Const. also of (the thing, fault, etc. blamed), or with clause compl.(1) 1513 Doug. i Prol. 498.
Reproche me nocht quhill the wark be ourseyn 1533 Bell. Livy II 90/18.
The King of Wolchis, … seand his army disarmit, began to reproche thame in this wise 1533 Boece 303b.
The grete men … reprocheit the justice with displesing wourdis 1549 Compl. 25/14.
Ȝong childir sal reproche ald men, ande mecanyc lauberaris sal reproche gentil men 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9084.
Gif thay can reproche ȝow ony way …, thay will assay 1562-3 Winȝet II 82/2.
He is naway to be reprocheit, bot gretumlie to be commendit thairfor 1593 Reg. Privy C. V 93.
That nane of thame tak upoun hand to sklander, murmour, reproche or bakbyte the personis abonewrittin 1600-1610 Melvill 33.
Sic as lyket nocht the cause, tuk occasion to reprotche him as a rashe raler 1629 Misc. Maitl. C. II 207.
Quhatsumever he is that reprovis or reprotches George Andersone now electit in dempster sall pey … x li toties quoties(2) 1513 Doug. xi viii 37.
Quha can … me iustly reprochyng [infin.] of syk lak That I rebutyt was or dung abak 1533 Bell. Livy I 239/3.
The consul reprochit thame … of thare cowarty Ib. 233/27. 1549 Compl. 70/32.
Sche began to reproche them inuectyuely of ther neclegens(3) a1578 Pitsc. I 94/9.
The earle … reprochand the king werie arrogantlie that he had reprovit him of all his offences 1582 Reg. Privy C. III 525.
Efter he had reprocheit him how he durst mak service at the said mylne

b. With the person's name or reputation as object. 1669 Salmon Borrowstounness 91.
[Persons did] asperse, reproatch, and callummniat hir good name 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 508.
When ye hear his name reproached, lend in a word for him

c. To censure or blame (a thing, fault, action, etc.). a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 522 (Asl.).
A … remeid Syn to reproche I fynd in all degre Is to remembre the dreidfull day of deid a1578 Pitsc. I 61 h. of ch.
Hou na man durst reproche the Erlle of Douglas proceidingis 1638 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 549.
This way that the world nicknameth and reproacheth … be not the King's gate to heaven

3. To discredit, show in a bad light. 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i xi 23 (1678) 137.
And it is a greater scandal upon our religion, to kill a Jew, because it reproaches us amongst infidels

4. To discourage, dissuade from (fra) doing something. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1348 (Asl.).
Pane of ciuile lawe … lestis bot a thraw ȝit it reprochis schrewis fra trespassing