I. rə̇ˈpyüt, rēˈp-, usu -üd.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English reputen, from Middle French reputer, from Latin reputare to compute, think over, from re- + putare to consider, think — more at pave
transitive verb
: to hold in thought account , esteem , think
Negroes were reputed the good workers — Oscar Handlin
men and women who are reputed moral — Samuel Butler †1902
she is reputed to make nocturnal visits to the guest room — American Guide Series: Louisiana
intransitive verb
obsolete : to hold an appraising opinion ; especially : to hold a high opinion
you should repute highly … of your own endowments — Ben Jonson
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete : opinion , estimation , judgment
their judgment and repute of thee is true — William Tomlinson
2. : the character or status commonly ascribed to one : the popular opinion of one : reputation of a specified kind
a large farmer of good repute — Thomas Hardy
the popular repute of … later empresses — John Buchan
a work held in high repute
3. obsolete : position , rank , status
these cardinals have the repute of princes — James Howell
4. : the state of being widely and favorably known, spoken of, or esteemed : distinction , honor
the gentleman was of repute in Paris — Charles Dickens
only a general of repute could get recruits — John Buchan
won him a deserved repute — Irving Kolodin
5. obsolete : the reputation of having or being something
who had then the repute of an honest man — Donald Mackay
6. : the reputation of a particular person or thing
jeopardizing the company's repute
threats to the repute of an honest man
Synonyms: see fame