obloquy

n., pl. -quies.

1. Abusively detractive language or utterance; calumny: “I have had enough obloquy for one lifetime” (Anthony Eden).
2. The condition of disgrace suffered as a result of abuse or vilification; ill repute.

[Middle English obloqui, from Late Latin obloquium, abusive contradiction, from Latin obloquī, to interrupt : ob-, against; see ob– + loquī, to speak.]

Public censure and — even worse — the disappointment of columnist George F. Will and other die-hard baseball fans are the fate of Barry Bonds, the slugger whose steroid use is now hitting the headlines:

"By now even Barry Bonds, although notably thick-skinned regarding public obloquy, might wish he had retired after the 1998 season..."

Link: Reading Barry Bonds' record

Posted March 13, 2006.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.

noun

1. Harsh, often insulting language: abuse, billingsgate, contumely, invective, railing, revilement, reviling, scurrility, scurrilousness, vituperation. See praise/blame.
2. Loss of or damage to one's reputation: bad name, bad odor, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, humiliation, ignominy, ill repute, odium, opprobrium, shame. See respect/contempt/standing.

n

Definition: vilification
Antonyms: praise

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Blame, censure, reproach, 11 P. 713; to expose one to obloquy is to subject one to blame or disgrace and may constitute defamation. 258 P. 242.

1) abusive language  2) ill repute

IN BRIEF: n. - Abusive language; improper treatment.

There he remained, weeping indignantly at her stream of obloquy, bitterly ashamed of his tears, until it was time for supper. — Jonathan Keates Stendhal.