opprobrious
pronunciation
How to pronounce opprobrious in British English: UK [ə'prəʊbrɪəs]
How to pronounce opprobrious in American English: US [əˈprobriəs]
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- Adjective:
- expressing offensive reproach
- (used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
Word Origin
- opprobrious (adj.)
- "full of reproach, intended to bring disgrace," late 14c., from Old French oprobrieus (Modern French opprobrieux), or directly from Late Latin opprobriosus, from Latin opprobare "to reproach, taunt," from ob "against" (see ob-) + probrum "reproach, infamy." Etymological sense is "disgrace attached to conduct considered shameful." Related: Opprobriously; opprobriousness.
Example
- 1. He ransacked his extensive vocabulary in order to find opprobrious names to call her .
- 2. It is now freely applied as an adjective of an opprobrious kind .