aspersion
[ uh-spur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]
/ əˈspɜr ʒən, -ʃən /
noun
a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; slander: casting aspersions on a campaign rival.
the act of slandering; vilification; defamation; calumniation; derogation: Such vehement aspersions cannot be ignored.
the act of sprinkling, as in baptism.
Archaic. a shower or spray.
RELATED WORDS
obloquy, animadversion, hit, knock, defamation, smear, detraction, invective, slander, abuse, rap, libel, put-down, calumny, slam, vituperation, backbiting
Nearby words
- aspergillus,
- asperity,
- aspermatism,
- aspermia,
- asperse,
- aspersions,
- aspersorium,
- asphalt,
- asphalt jungle,
- asphalt paper
Origin of aspersion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for aspersion
aspersion
/ (əˈspɜːʃən) /
noun
a disparaging or malicious remark; slanderous accusation (esp in the phrase cast aspersions (on))
the act of defaming
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
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aspersion
mid-15c., from Latin aspersionem (nominative aspersio) "a sprinkling," noun of action from past participle stem of aspergere "to sprinkle on," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + spargere "sprinkle, strew" (see sparse). Originally in theology, the shedding of Christ's blood. Modern sense of "bespattering with slander" first attested 1590s. To cast aspersions was in Fielding (1749).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper