a. ? Obs. Also 6 vytuperable. [a. OF. vituperable (obs. F., Sp. vituperable, Pg. vituperavel, It. vituperabile), ad. L. vituperābil-is (rare) blameworthy, censurable, f. vituperāre to VITUPERATE.] That deserves or merits vituperation; blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible; disgraceful, shameful.
c. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, I. xix. 22. Yf an accustumed exercise … be liȝtly forsaken þorugh hevynes o’ soule or negligence, it is vituperable, & wol be founde noyous.
1481. Botoner, Tulle on Old Age (Caxton), C vij. Cecilyus saide of olde age a thyng is no more vituperable and lothyng, thenne is the same that he seeith here before.
c. 1510. Barclay, Mirr. Gd. Manners (1570), G v. But a famous merchaunt, great, riche, and haboundant, And rightwisely dealing, is not vituperable.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, § 163. 58 b. There be many other myrthes & consolacions, some beynge good & laudable & some vytuperable.
1586. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 61. To ouercome others by vertue is a thing most honourable, but in pursuite thereof to be conuinced of any other, is a thing most vituperable.
1603. H. Crosse, Vertues Commw. (1878), 99. Nothing doth more corrupt and wither greene and tender wits, then such vnsauoury and vituperable bookes.
1822. T. Taylor, Apuleius, 357. Of vituperable men there are four species; of which the first consists of the ambitious.
