Main Entry:

ob·jur·ga·tion

Pronunciation:

\ˌäb-jər-ˈgā-shən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English objurgacyon, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French objurgation, from Latin objurgation-, objurgatio, from objurgare to scold, blame, from ob- against + jurgare to quarrel, literally, to take to law, from jur-, jus law + -igare (from agere to lead) — more at ob-, just, agent

Date:

15th century

: a harsh rebuke

— ob·jur·gate \ˈäb-jər-ˌgāt\ transitive verb

— ob·jur·ga·to·ry \əb-ˈjər-gə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective