backbite

American  

[bak-bahyt] / ˈbækˌbaɪt /

verb (used with object)

backbites, present (3rd person singular) backbit, past, past participle backbitten, past participle backbiting present participle

1. to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present).

   Synonyms:

   defame, libel, slander, deprecate, disparage, belittle

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verb (used without object)

backbites, present (3rd person singular) backbit, past, past participle backbitten, past participle backbiting present participle

1. to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present.

backbite British  

/ ˈbækˌbaɪt /

verb

1. to talk spitefully about (an absent person)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• backbiter
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has backbitten
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has backbit
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have backbitten
  perfect
• have backbit
  perfect
• has been backbiting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been backbiting
  perfect progressive
• is backbiting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are backbiting
  progressive
• backbiting
  participle
• am backbiting
  progressive 1st person singular
• backbites
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had backbitten
  perfect
• had backbit
  perfect
• had been backbiting
  perfect progressive
• was backbiting
  progressive singular
• backbit
  participle
• backbit
  simple
• backbitten
  participle
• were backbiting
  progressive plural

Future

• will backbite
  simple
• will have backbit
  perfect
• will have backbitten
  perfect
• will be backbiting
  progressive
• will have been backbiting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of backbite

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at back ¹, bite