I. ˈsenchə(r) sometimes -nˌshu̇(ə)r or -u̇ə, chiefly substand -n(t)sə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin censura, from censēre to assess — more at censor
1. : a judgment involving condemnation:
a. : spiritual chastisement by an ecclesiastical agency
acts receiving public censure of the church
b. : sentence of punishment by civil or military authority
awaiting the censure of the ruling council
2. : censorship
3. archaic : opinion , judgment
will you go to give your censures in this weighty business — Shakespeare
4. : adverse judgment : the act of blaming, finding fault with, or condemning sternly
heads turning all along the block in discreet censure of his unsabbatical behavior — Mary Austin
5. : critical recension
6. : expression of official disapproval
army letters of censure
often : a resolution by a legislative body expressing disapproval of a government official
II. verb
( censured ; censured ; censuring -nch(ə)riŋ, chiefly substand -n(t)s(ə)riŋ ; censures )
transitive verb
1. obsolete : estimate , judge : to form or pronounce an opinion on
2.
a. : to find fault with and criticize adversely as blameworthy especially with stern judgment : disapprove of or dispraise
appraisements imply censures and it is not one writer's business to censure others — F.M.Ford
b. : to express official censure of
a resolution on the floor to censure the senator
3. obsolete : to condemn with judicial sentence
intransitive verb
obsolete : judge — used with of or on
Synonyms: see criticize