aspersion

American  

[uh-spur-zhuhn, -shuhn] / əˈspɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

noun

1. a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; slander.

   casting aspersions on a campaign rival.

   Synonyms:

   reproach, censure

2. the act of slandering; vilification; calumniation; derogation; defamation.

   Such vehement aspersions cannot be ignored.

3. the act of sprinkling, as in baptism.

4. Archaic. a shower or spray.

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aspersion British  

/ əˈspɜːʃən /

noun

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

2. the act of defaming

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonaspersion
  noun

Etymology

Origin of aspersion

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

Explanation

An aspersion is a disparaging remark. It almost invariably appears as a plural, following the word "cast" — when you cast aspersions on someone, you are questioning their abilities or doubting them. Finding out that a field-hockey coach had never played the sport might cast aspersions on her ability to coach it. Wendy's ads don't come out and say that McDonald's hamburgers are made out of cardboard, but through shot after shot of their own thick and juicy and oddly square offering, they cast aspersions on the quarter-pounder.

Example Sentences

Aspersion was commonly employed in the case of the sick, and was known by the designation of clinic or bed baptism.

From The Ancient Church Its History, Doctrine, Worship, and Constitution by Killen, W. D. (William Dool)

We ponder, question, doubt—and pray The Deep to answer Yea or Nay; And what does the engirdling wave, The undivulging, yield us, save Aspersion of bewildering spray?

From The Poems of William Watson by Watson, William

It may be administered by Immersion, Aspersion, or Affusion.

From The Church: Her Books and Her Sacraments by Holmes, E. E.

To which is added, An Appendix, by Way of Vindication of Mr. Duncan Campbel, against that groundless Aspersion cast upon him, That he but pretended to be Deaf and Dumb.

From The Life and Romances of Mrs. Eliza Haywood by Whicher, George Frisbie

Aspersion with cold water on the painful part.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus