scandal

n. [ F. scandale, fr. L. scandalum, Gr. &unr_;, a snare laid for an enemy, a stumbling block, offense, scandal: cf. OE. scandle, OF. escandle. See Slander. ] 1. Offense caused or experienced; reproach or reprobation called forth by what is regarded as wrong, criminal, heinous, or flagrant: opprobrium or disgrace. [ 1913 Webster ]

O, what a scandal is it to our crown,
That two such noble peers as ye should jar! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ I ] have brought scandal
To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt
In feeble hearts. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Reproachful aspersion; opprobrious censure; defamatory talk, uttered heedlessly or maliciously. [ 1913 Webster ]

You must not put another scandal on him. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

My known virtue is from scandal free. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Equity) Anything alleged in pleading which is impertinent, and is reproachful to any person, or which derogates from the dignity of the court, or is contrary to good manners. Daniell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Defamation; detraction; slander; calumny; opprobrium; reproach; shame; disgrace. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Scandalized p. pr. & vb. n. Scandalizing ] [ F. scandaliser, L. scandalizare, from Gr. skandali`zein. ] 1. To offend the feelings or the conscience of (a person) by some action which is considered immoral or criminal; to bring shame, disgrace, or reproach upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

I demand who they are whom we scandalize by using harmless things. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

The congregation looked on in silence, the better class scandalized, and the lower orders, some laughing, others backing the soldier or the minister, as their fancy dictated. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To reproach; to libel; to defame; to slander. [ 1913 Webster ]

To tell his tale might be interpreted into scandalizing the order. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. scandaleux. ] 1. Giving offense to the conscience or moral feelings; exciting reprobation; calling out condemnation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing scandalous or offensive unto any. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disgraceful to reputation; bringing shame or infamy; opprobrious; as, a scandalous crime or vice. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Defamatory; libelous; as, a scandalous story. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a manner to give offense; shamefully. [ 1913 Webster ]

His discourse at table was scandalously unbecoming the dignity of his station. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. With a disposition to impute immorality or wrong. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shun their fault, who, scandalously nice,
Will needs mistake an author into vice. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Quality of being scandalous. [ 1913 Webster ]