I. Lit., the condition of an accused person, a state of impeachment (a word first used by Messala, acc. to Quint. 8, 3, 34): “revocato ad reatum Alcibiade,” Just. 4, 4, 4: “si diutino tempore aliquis in reatu fuerit ... qui longo tempore in reatu agunt,” Dig. 48, 19, 25; Mart. 2, 24, 1.—
II. Meton.
A. An offence of which one stands accused, a charge, App. M. 7, p. 191, 31; 3, p. 132, 10; Prud. Cath. 11.—
B. The dress or appearance of an accused person: “mulier reatu mirāque tristitie deformis,” App. M. 9, p. 231, 3.—
III. Trop., guilt (late Lat.): “reatus sanguinis,” Vulg. Deut. 21, 8; cf. id. Exod. 32, 35: praeteriit actu manet reatu, Aug. cont. Jul. Pelag. 6, 19, 60.