Scan"dal (?), n. [F. scandale,
fr. L. scandalum, Gr. ?, a snare laid for an enemy, a
stumbling block, offense, scandal: cf. OE. scandle, OF.
escandle. See Slander.] 1. Offense
caused or experienced; reproach or reprobation called forth by what is
regarded as wrong, criminal, heinous, or flagrant: opprobrium or
disgrace.
O, what a scandal is it to our crown,
That two such noble peers as ye should jar!
Shak.
[I] have brought scandal
To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt
In feeble hearts.
Milton.
2. Reproachful aspersion; opprobrious censure;
defamatory talk, uttered heedlessly or maliciously.
You must not put another scandal on
him.
Shak.
My known virtue is from scandal
free.
Dryden.
3. (Equity) Anything alleged in
pleading which is impertinent, and is reproachful to any person, or
which derogates from the dignity of the court, or is contrary to good
manners. Daniell.
Syn. -- Defamation; detraction; slander; calumny;
opprobrium; reproach; shame; disgrace.
Scan"dal (?), v. t. 1.
To treat opprobriously; to defame; to asperse; to traduce; to
slander. [R.]
I do fawn on men and hug them hard
And after scandal them.
Shak.
2. To scandalize; to offend. [Obs.]
Bp. Story.
Syn. -- To defame; traduce; reproach; slander; calumniate;
asperse; vilify; disgrace.