reputable, a.
(ˈrɛpjuːtəb(ə)l)
[f. repute v. + -able. Cf. obs. F. reputable (Godef.).]
† 1. Capable of being regarded or taken into account. Obs. rare—1.
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. vii. xliii. §1. 354 Disauowing Prince Edward as illegitimate, and therefore not reputable for succession. |
2. Having a good reputation; of good repute; estimable, honourable, respectable: a. of acts, employments, circumstances, etc.
| 1674 Govt. Tongue 206 Faults..exemplified to us in common practice, (nay some of them as reputable and ingenious). 1699 Bentley Phal. Pref. 29 His Imployment, as a Book⁓seller, I think a very reputable one, if He himself be not a Disgrace to't. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 365 To find..that you would have been led beyond what was reputable. 1825 Lamb Elia Ser. ii. Barbara S―, The parents of Barbara had been in reputable circumstances. 1878 Simpson Sch. Shaks. I. 109 To reveal matters in which his share had not been very reputable. |
b. of persons or their character.
| 1692 Dryden St. Euremont's Ess. 34 If so be the reputable Men of the latter time, had existed in that of Fabricius [etc.]. 1728 Morgan Algiers II. i. 212 Rakik, the most reputable of all the African Chronologists. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. lxix. (1806) V. 195 The jury were men of fair and reputable characters. 1837 J. D. Lang New S. Wales I. 172 A grant of land belonging to a reputable Scotchman. 1858 Greener Gunnery 330 Certain men who set themselves up for reputable gunmakers. |
Hence ˈreputableness, ‘being of good Repute’ (Bailey vol. II, 1727).