subs. (old).—1.  A woman of reputation (GROSE): whence (2) a harlot: a woman of a certain reputation: also demi-rep: cf. RIP. Also as in quot. 1732, short for ‘repute.’

1

  1721.  D’URFEY, Two Queens of Brentford, i.

              Flower’d callicoes that fill our shoars,
And worn by dames of REP’, as well as whores.

2

  1732.  FIELDING, The Covent Garden Tragedy, ii. 13.

          Stormandra.  Nor modesty, nor pride, nor fear, nor REP,
Shall now forbid this tender chaste embrace.

3

  ’PON (or ON) REP, phr. (old).—‘Upon my reputation.’

4

  1708–10.  SWIFT, Polite Conversation, i. Lady Smart. What!… Do you say it UPON REP? Neverout. Poz, I saw her with my own Eyes.

5

  1711.  ADDISON, The Spectator, No. 135, 4 Aug. Some of our Words, that in familiar Writings and Conversations they often lose all but their first Syllables, as in mob. REP. pos. incog. and the like.

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  3.  (Harrow).—A repetition.

7

  1892.  T. A. GUTHRIE (‘F. Anstey’), Voces Populi ‘At the Regent Street Tuzsand’s,’ 65. It’s not in Selections from British Poetry, which we have to get up for REP.

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