bespatter
Americanverb (used with object)
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to soil by spattering; splash with water, dirt, etc.
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to slander or libel.
a reputation bespattered by malicious gossip.
verb
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to splash all over, as with dirty water
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to defile; slander; besmirch
Etymology
Origin of bespatter
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.
As Stars may without Pillories dispence, To slit some Ears for Forgeries of sense, Which Princes, Nobles, and the Fame of Men, Sought to bespatter by a worthless Pen.
From Anti-Achitophel (1682) Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden by Jones, Harold Whitmore
To wet by dashing or throwing water or other liquid upon; to bespatter.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah
It seems his pleasure to cast filth into the face of purity; and bespatter innocence with foul imputations.
From Talkers With Illustrations by Bate, John
The roar of the surf is so great that we cannot hear each other speak, and the rain and foam bespatter our faces.
From Round the Wonderful World by Forrest, A. S. (Archibald Stevenson)
I could have done nothing for you but bespatter you with the mire in which I wallowed, and I wanted you, my beautiful one—my pearl, my lily—to be spotless as mountain snow.
From The Unseen Bridgegroom or, Wedded For a Week by Fleming, May Agnes
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.