verb
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to spread false rumours about; defame
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rare to sprinkle, as with water in baptism
Other Word Forms
- asperser noun
- aspersive adjective
- aspersively adverb
- unaspersed adjective
- unaspersive adjective
Etymology
Origin of asperse
1480–90; < Latin aspersus besprinkled (past participle of aspergere ), equivalent to a- a- 5 + -sper- (combining form of spar-, variant of sparg- sparge ) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix
Vocabulary lists containing asperse
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The hereditary duties of the King's Champion are to "gird himself in complete armor," ride out upon a noble charger, fling down his gauntlet, offer to fight all "liars and traitors" who asperse King Edward.
From Time Magazine Archive
With this threat blazoned, the British note went on to asperse individually and by name five officials of the Soviet Government.
From Time Magazine Archive
Let no man write my epitaph; for, as no one who knows my motives dares now vindicate them, let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them.
From Shakspere, Personal Recollections by Joyce, John A.
She is of most amiable disposition, and I never knew her to—if I may coin a word—to asperse.
From Belford's Magazine, Volume II, No. 8, January, 1889 by Various
For endeavoring to asperse your petitioner's personal character in the most infamous manner.
From Colonel John Brown, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the Brave Accuser of Benedict Arnold by Howe, Archibald Murray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
