reprobate

views updated May 18 2018

rep·ro·bate / ˈreprəˌbāt/ • n. an unprincipled person (often used humorously or affectionately). ∎  archaic Christian Theol. (esp. in Calvinism) a sinner who is not of the elect and is predestined to damnation.• adj. unprincipled (often used as a humorous or affectionate reproach): a long-missed old reprobate drinking comrade. ∎  Christian Theol., archaic (in Calvinism) predestined to damnation.• v. [tr.] archaic express or feel disapproval of: his neighbors reprobated his method of proceeding.DERIVATIVES: rep·ro·ba·tion / ˌreprəˈbāshən/ n.

reprobate

views updated Jun 11 2018

reprobate rejected by God; of abandoned character; also sb. XVI. — late L. reprobātus, pp. of reprobāre disapprove, f. RE- + probāre approve, PROVE.
So vb. disapprove of XV; reject, cast off XVI. f. pp. stem of L. reprobāre; see -ATE3. reprobation XV. — (O)F. or late L.