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
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
Superior excellence is the general mark for calumny; and envy is usually led to asperse what it cannot imitate.
From Alida or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War. Founded on Fact by Comfield, Amelia Stratton
"Not even scandal could asperse her motives in the present case," said Lady Hester, with an insolent laugh.
From The Daltons, Volume I (of II) Or,Three Roads In Life by Lever, Charles James
Don't dare in my presence to asperse the good name of an honorable girl!
From The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky, Fyodor
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.
