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Origin and history of reprobate

reprobate(adj.)

early 15c., "rejected as worthless," from Late Latin reprobatus, past participle of reprobare "disapprove, reject, condemn," from Latin re- "back, again," here perhaps indicating "opposite of, reversal of previous condition" (see re-) + probare "prove to be worthy" (see probate (n.)). The meaning "abandoned in character, morally depraved, unprincipled" is by 1650s.

reprobate(n.)

1540s, "one rejected by God, person given over to sin," from reprobate (adj.). Sense of "abandoned or unprincipled person" is from 1590s.

reprobate(v.)

early 15c., reprobaten, "condemn, disapprove vehemently," from Late Latin reprobatus, past participle of reprobare "disapprove, reject, condemn" (see reprobate (adj.)). Later coming to mean "reject, put away, set aside" (by c. 1600). Related: Reprobated; reprobating.

Entries linking to reprobate

in law, "official proving of a will," mid-15c., from Medieval Latin legalese use of Latin probatum "a thing proved," neuter of probatus "tried, tested, proved," past participle of probare "to try, test, prove" (see prove).

mid-14c., reproche, "a rebuke, blame, censure" directed against a person; also "object of scorn or contempt;" c. 1400, as "disgrace, state of disgrace," from Anglo-French repruce, Old French reproche "blame, shame, disgrace" (12c.), from reprochier "to blame, bring up against."

OED cites Diez for the explanation that this is from Vulgar Latin *repropiare, from Latin re- "opposite of" + prope "near" (see propinquity), with suggestions of "bring near to" as in modern get in (someone's) face. But it points out other etymologists of French would have it from *reprobicare, from Latin reprobus/reprobare "disapprove, reject, condemn" (see reprobate (adj.)).

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