I. ˈskand ə lˌīz, -aan- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: partly from Middle French scandaliser to cause to stumble, shock, from Late Latin scandalizare to cause to stumble, from Greek skandalizein, from skandalon stumbling block, offense; partly from scandal (I) + -ize
1. : to speak falsely or maliciously of : defame , malign
2. archaic : to bring into reproach : dishonor , disgrace
3. : to offend the feelings, conscience, or propriety of by an action considered immoral, criminal, or unseemly
scandalized his brethren by espousing euthanasia, sterilization, easy divorce — Time
II. transitive verb
Etymology: alteration of earlier scantelize to shorten, curtail, from scantle (II) + -ize
1. : to lower the peak and haul up the tack or clew of (a fore-and-aft sail) in order to reduce the size or to spill the sail
2. : to reduce sail on (a mizzenmast) when before the wind so that the sails on the mainmast may have the full force of the wind