arch. Also 6 exprobracion, -cyon, 6–8 exprobation. [ad. L. exprobrātiōn-em, n. of action f. exprobrāre: see EXPROBRATE.]
† 1. The action of ‘exprobrating,’ upbraiding, or speaking reproachfully; an instance of this. Obs.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 17. Remembrynge … to the exprobracyon and reproue of god, the potage potte … in Egypte.
1577. Fenton, Gold. Epist., 337. To exacte recompence, is a manifest exprobation of benefits receiued.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr. (1640), 203. His [St. Paul’s] commemoration is an exprobration to the Corinthians of their neglect of him.
1705. J. Philips, Blenheim, 121. No need such Boasts, or Exprobrations false Of cowardice.
a. 1843. Southey, Doctor (1849), 380. Uttering the words exultantly, not in exprobration.
b. Rhet. (see quot.).
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Exprobration … in rhetoric, is the reproaching a person with ingratitude, and unmindfulness of some particular benefit conferred upon him.
c. That which acts as a reproach, or serves the purpose of reproaching.
1680. Sir W. Waller, Div. Medit. (1839), 150. This sun-set … is to me an exprobration.
1682. Norris, Hierocles, 65–6. If any throw him something by way of alms, that aggravates his discontent as an exprobation of his poverty.
2. A reproachful or upbraiding utterance; reproachful language.
1549. Latimer, 6th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 167. He hath stirred vp the people to persecute it wyth exprobacions and slaunderous wordes.
a. 1600. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VI. (1648), 114. The ears of the accused [are] not alwayes subject to glowing with contumely and exprobration.
1692. South, Serm. (1697), I. 127. A denial with scorn, with taunting exprobrations.
1877. R. W. Dixon, Hist. Ch. Eng., I. ii. 143. This weak exprobration [protest against the Anti-Papal statutes] itself was the last instrument of an English primate [Warham] who died legate of the Apostolic See.
