obloquy
(ˈɒbləkwɪ)
Also 5–6 obliqui, -lyquy, 6 -licque, -loqui, -ye, 6–7 -ie.
[ad. late L. obloqui-um contradiction, f. obloquī to speak against, gainsay, contradict, f. ob- (ob- 1 b) + loquī to speak. (The early spelling obliq- may have arisen through confusion with oblique.)]
1. Evil-speaking directed against a person or thing; abuse, detraction, calumny, slander. † Formerly also with an and pl., An abusive or calumnious speech or utterance (obs.).
| 1460 J. Capgrave Chron. 281 In this tyme cam oute a bulle..whech revokid alle the graces that had be graunted..of whech ros mech slaundir and obliqui ageyn the Cherch. 1502 W. Atkynson tr. De Imitatione iii. xl. 229 Infyrmytes, & iniurye, oblyquies & repreues..these thynges helpe to purches vertues. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, ii. v. 49 He..did vpbrayd me with my Fathers death; Which obloquie set barres before my tongue. 1673 True Worsh. God p. ii, I shall not much concern my self with the obloquies of such men. 1777 Watson Philip II (1839) 375 It would be prudent perhaps not to expose himself again to the obloquy of his detractors. 1867 Smiles Huguenots Eng. viii. (1880) 137 They had to..hold their convictions in the face of obloquy, opposition. |
b. Abuse or detraction as it affects the person spoken against; the condition of being spoken against; evil fame, bad repute; reproach, disgrace.
| 1469 Paston Lett. II. 380 They that be abut yow be in obloquy of all men. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vii. 618 All was ruled by the quene & her counsayll..to the great maugre & oblyquy of the quene. 1513 More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 767 From the great obloquy that he was in so late before, he was..in so great trust that..he was made [etc.] 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. iv. iii, The just revenge Upon the author of thy obloquies. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. vii. §337 And undergo the perpetual obloquy of having lost a Kingdom. |
† 2. transf. A cause, occasion, or object of detraction or reproach; a reproach, a disgrace. Obs.
| 1589 Nashe Anat. Absurd. 39 To shew what an obloquie these impudent incipients in Arts are vnto Art. 1601 Shakes. All's Well iv. ii. 44 An honour longing to our house,..Which were the greatest obloquie i' the world, In me to loose. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iii. vii. (1651) 356, I have been..arraigned and condemned, I am a common obloquy. |