To reprimand is to officially or sharply tell someone they have done something wrong. A reprimand is the spoken or written warning itself.
From Latin *reprimere* meaning 'to hold back' or 'check', blended later with French forms to become *reprimande*. Over time, the idea shifted from physically holding something back to verbally checking someone's behavior.
A reprimand is like a verbal brake pedal—it's meant to stop a behavior in its tracks. In formal settings, a written reprimand can follow you on record, which is why it feels heavier than just being casually scolded.
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