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cen·sure

(sĕnshər)

1. An expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism.

2. An official rebuke, as by a legislature of one of its members.

tr.v. cen·sured, cen·sur·ing, cen·sures

To express strong disapproval of or criticize severely, especially in an official capacity: "whether the Senate will censure one of its members for conflict of interest" (Washington Post). See Synonyms at criticize.

[Middle English, from Latin cēnsūra, censorship, from cēnsor, Roman censor; see CENSOR.]

censur·a·ble adj.

censur·a·bly adv.

censur·er n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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