calumny
[kal-uh m-nee]
- a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something: The speech was considered a calumny of the administration.
- the act of uttering calumnies; slander; defamation.
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Origin of calumny
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin calumnia, equivalent to calumn-, perhaps originally a middle participle of calvī to deceive + -ia -y3)
Synonyms
See more synonyms for calumny on Thesaurus.com2. libel, vilification, calumniation, derogation.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for calumny
Contemporary Examples
One imagines that the latest pope, a Jesuit, is familiar with the centuries of calumny that have been heaped upon his forebears.
Historical Examples
If ever Calumny aims the poisoned shaft at them, may friendship be by to ward the blow!
The Letters of Robert BurnsRobert Burns
It is there one lives exempt from the assaults of censure, detraction, and calumny.
The History of LouisianaLe Page Du Pratz
Calumny is a little wind, but it raises such a terrible tempest.
The Eternal CityHall Caine
Some they bought—some they ruined—some they intimidated—some they destroyed by calumny.
Sir Jasper CarewCharles James Lever
Slander and calumny can go abroad without a dread of consequences.
The Daltons, Volume II (of II)Charles James Lever
calumny
- the malicious utterance of false charges or misrepresentation; slander; defamation
- such a false charge or misrepresentation
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin calumnia deception, slander
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for calumny
n.
"False & malicious misrepresentation of the words or actions of others, calculated to injure their reputation" [Fowler], mid-15c., from Middle French calomnie (15c.), from Latin calumnia "trickery, subterfuge, misrepresentation, malicious charge," from calvi "to trick, deceive," from PIE root *kel- "to deceive, confuse" (cf. Greek kelein "to bewitch, seduce, beguile," Gothic holon "to deceive," Old Norse hol "praise, flattery," Old English hol "slander," holian "to slander").
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper