Also 5 -acyon. [a. OF. vituperaciun, -acion, -ation (obs. F. vituperation, = Sp. vituperacion, Pg. vituperação, It. vituperazione), or ad. L. vituperātiōn-, vituperātio blaming, censuring, etc., noun of action f. vituperāre: see prec. and -ATION.]
1. The action, fact or process of vituperating; blame, censure, reproof, or (esp. in later use) the expression of this, in abusive or violent language; abuse, railing, rating. Also, vituperative or abusive language.
There are few instances of the use of the word before the beginning of the 19th c.: cf. VITUPERATE v.
1481. Botoner, Tulle on Old Age (Caxton), C viij. The third part … which Caton answerith,… repreuith them of the seconde defaulte of uituperacyon opposed ayenst olde age.
1602. (title) Ane Satyre of the thrie Estaits, in commendation of Vertew and Vituperation of Vyce; maid be Sir Dauid Lindesay.
1633. J. Done, Hist. Septuagint, 155. When a man becomes vntractable, and inaccessible, by fiercenesse and pride:… then vituperation comes vpon him, and priuation of honour followes him.
1656. Stanley, Hist. Philos., v. (1687), 165. Of Rhetoric are six kinds … [6] Vituperation, when we declare a Man to be wicked.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xx. It was one of these old women who … answered his petition with a volley of vituperation.
1845. Ford, Handbk. Spain, I. 35. Few nations can surpass the Spaniards in the language of vituperation.
1887. Ruskin, Præterita, II. 193. A rhyme written … in vituperation of the idle people at Conflans.
† 2. A cause of blame or censure. Obs.–1
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 305 (bis). Such a Writing ought to be clean and free from any Cavil or Vituperation of Rasure.
