Also 3–4 blam. [a. OF. blâme, blasmer (= Pr. blasme, OSp. blasmo, It. biasimo), on Romanic type *blasimo, f. *blasimare:—L. blasphēmāre: see prec. Cf. L. blasphēmus, Gr. βλάσφημος adj. ‘blasphemous, reviling.’]
1. The action of censuring; expression of disapprobation; imputation of demerit on account of a fault or blemish; reproof; censure; reprehension.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 43. With mony blame, ful bygge a boffet, peraunter.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 347. Thus more and more arose the blame Ayein Egiste on every side.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 8. Moche worthy blame is that chrysten man.
1709. Steele & Swift, Tatler, No. 67, ¶ 12. The contrary to Fame and Applause, to wit, Blame and Derision.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. iii. 282. Even Henry himself he [Latimer] did not spare where he saw occasion for blame.
† b. The condition of being blamed. Obs.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 33. Wið unworð ne wið uuel blame.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Ann. & Arc., 278. And putte yowe in sclaundre nowe and blame.
† 2. A charge, an accusation. Obs.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 19335 (Trin.). Wol ȝe dryue on vs þe blame Þat we haue slayn him wiþ wronge.
1382. Wyclif, Titus ii. 3. Not bacbiteris, or seyinge fals blame on othere men.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Man Lawes T., 542. Immortal god þat sauedest susanne ffro false blame.
c. 1450. Merlin, 121. She was ledde to be brente for a blame that was put upon hir.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 71. The blames laid against it [Poesie], are either false or feeble.
3. Blameworthiness, culpability; fault. arch.
1297. R. Glouc., 432. Þy louerd ssal abbe an name … vayr wyþout blame.
c. 1314. Guy Warw., 1737. Gij of Warwike … a kniȝt he was wiþ-outen blame.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., I. xix. He enticeth or enflameth vnto crymes and blames.
1586. Warner, Alb. Eng., II. ix. (1597), 38. Oftner thought she it more blame not to haue erred so.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, V. iii. 36. My high repented blames Deere soueraigne pardon to me.
1611. Bible, Ephes. i. 4. That we should be holy and without blame before him.
1859. Tennyson, Merl. & Viv., 648. Is thy white blamelessness accounted blame?
4. Responsibility for anything wrong, culpability; esp. in to lay the blame on, to bear the blame.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 76. The blame upon the duke they laide.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 62 b. I am not in the blame, quoth he, but Dionisius.
1580. Baret, Alv., B 777. The faulte and blame is in thee.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low-C. Warres, 87. He … casts the blame upon the Prince of Aurange.
1873. Morley, Rousseau, I. 274. He took all the blame on himself.
1883. Froude, Short Stud., IV. 53. They laid the blame of the quarrel on the archbishop’s violence.
† 5. ? Injury, hurt. Obs.
1549–62. Sternhold & H., Ps. l. 15. Then call to me When ought would worke thee blame.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., I. ii. 18. Glauncing down his shield from blame him fairly blest.
