calumny

American  

[kal-uhm-nee] / ˈkæl əm ni /

noun

calumnies plural

1. a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something.

   The speech was considered a calumny of the administration.

2. the act of uttering calumnies; slander; defamation.

   Synonyms:

   derogation, vilification

---

calumny British  

/ ˈkæləmnɪ /

noun

1. the malicious utterance of false charges or misrepresentation; slander; defamation

2. such a false charge or misrepresentation

---

Commonly Confused

See slander.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• calumnies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of calumny

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin calumnia, equivalent to calumn-, perhaps originally a participle of calvī “to deceive” + -ia -y ³ )

Explanation

Use the noun calumny to characterize verbal attacks that are meant to destroy reputations or friendships. You've probably seen political ads during election time that rely on calumny to move voters. Calumny comes from the Latin word calvi, meaning "to trick, deceive," which is why it can also describe falsely accusing someone or quoting them out of context with the intent to do them harm. Some political candidates use this tactic against opponents in the hope that voters will be tricked into thinking that the accusations are true.

Example Sentences

An analogous instance will be found in Botticelli's famous Calumny in the Uffizi.

From The Story of Florence by Gardner, Edmund G.

On the contrary, when subsequently questioned at Oxford concerning his promise to write such a letter, he "denied the whole, & even treated the question as a Calumny."

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume I (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell

Calumny had aroused this storm of public opinion, it was a blind, unjust outbreak; she could defy it with a good conscience.

From Withered Leaves. Vol. III.(of III) A Novel by Gottschall, Rudolf von

Calumny, the most elusive and dangerous enemy that woman may have to face, was routed... and some six months after the death of President Faure my receptions were more largely attended than ever.

From My Memoirs by Steinheil, Marguerite

Calumny, the vile insolent spectre, sits upon the noblest graves.

From The Prose Writings of Heinrich Heine by Heine, Heinrich