aspersion

[ uh-spur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]
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noun
  1. a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; slander: casting aspersions on a campaign rival.

  2. the act of slandering; vilification; calumniation; derogation; defamation: Such vehement aspersions cannot be ignored.

  1. the act of sprinkling, as in baptism.

  2. Archaic. a shower or spray.

Origin of aspersion

1
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin aspersiōn- (stem of aspersiō ) “a sprinkling”; see asperse, -ion

Other words for aspersion

Other words from aspersion

  • non·as·per·sion, noun

Words Nearby aspersion

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How to use aspersion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for aspersion

aspersion

/ (əˈspɜːʃən) /


noun
  1. a disparaging or malicious remark; slanderous accusation (esp in the phrase cast aspersions (on))

  2. the act of defaming

  1. rare the act of sprinkling, esp of water in baptism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012