Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCAN'DAL, n. [Fr. scandale; It. scandalo; Sp. escandalo; L. scandalum; Gr. σκανδαλον; Ir. scannail, slander. In Greek, this word signifies a stumbling-block, something against which a person impinges, or which causes him to fall. In Sax. scande, sconde, signifies shame, confusion, dishonor, infamy; D. schande, id.; schandaal, reproach, scandal; G. schande, shame; schänden, to mar, disfigure, spoil, violate; Dan. skiender, to abuse, defame, &c.; Sans. schiande or ishianda, scandal. In Arm. scandal is a quarrel. The primary sense of the root must be to drive, to thrust, or to strike or east down.]

1. Offense given by the faults of another. His lustful orgies he enlarg'd / Even to the hill of scandal. – Milton. [In this sense we now generally use offense.]
2. Reproachful aspersion: opprobrious censure; defamatory speech or report; something uttered which is false and injurious to reputation. My known virtue is from scandal free. – Dryden.
3. Shame; reproach; disgrace. Such is the perverted state of the human mind that some of the most hainous crimes bring little scandal upon the offender.