reproach

Everyday

1. verb To tell someone, gently or sadly, that you are disappointed in what they did. tree →
2. noun Words or looks showing disappointment or blame. tree →
3. beyond reproach So good that no one can criticise it. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a parent «looks at someone with reproach». In ethics: «reproach yourself» means feel guilty. In formal talk, «behaviour beyond reproach». Phrases: «a look of reproach», «beyond reproach», «reproach yourself».

Examples

• Mum gave me a look of reproach when I came home muddy. tree →
• Don't reproach yourself, it wasn't your fault. tree →
• The teacher reproached him for being unkind. tree →
• Her honesty is beyond reproach. tree →
• His silence was full of reproach. tree →
• The dog looked at me with reproach when I ate its biscuit. tree →
• When too late, he thus reproached himself: “Woe is me! tree →

Note

Spelling: re-pro-ACH. Adjective «reproachful». Softer than «scold». Countable and uncountable as a noun.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means shame or disgrace, not only words of blame.

Interpretation. Rachel's words show how childlessness was felt as a shame, and Jacob's sons call marrying their sister to an uncircumcised man a disgrace to the family.

Examples

• And she conceived, and bore a son, and said: 'God hath taken away my reproach.' (Torah GEN.30.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• and said unto them: 'We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us. (Torah GEN.34.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• How long, O God, shall the adversary reproach? (Writings PSA.74.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Turn away my reproach which I dread; for Thine ordinances are good. (Writings PSA.119.39, JPS 1917) tree →
• Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. (Writings PRO.14.34, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: re-pro-ACH. Adjective «reproachful». Softer than «scold». Countable and uncountable as a noun.