calumny

American  

[kal-uhm-nee] / ˈkæl əm ni /

noun

calumnies plural

1. a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something.

   The speech was considered a calumny of the administration.

2. the act of uttering calumnies; slander; defamation.

   Synonyms:

   derogation, vilification

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calumny British  

/ ˈkæləmnɪ /

noun

1. the malicious utterance of false charges or misrepresentation; slander; defamation

2. such a false charge or misrepresentation

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Commonly Confused

See slander.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• calumnies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of calumny

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin calumnia, equivalent to calumn-, perhaps originally a participle of calvī “to deceive” + -ia -y ³ )

Explanation

Use the noun calumny to characterize verbal attacks that are meant to destroy reputations or friendships. You've probably seen political ads during election time that rely on calumny to move voters. Calumny comes from the Latin word calvi, meaning "to trick, deceive," which is why it can also describe falsely accusing someone or quoting them out of context with the intent to do them harm. Some political candidates use this tactic against opponents in the hope that voters will be tricked into thinking that the accusations are true.

Example Sentences

We have an instance of this in the altar erected to Calumny at Athens.

From The Student's Mythology A Compendium of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Assyrian, Persian, Hindoo, Chinese, Thibetian, Scandinavian, Celtic, Aztec, and Peruvian Mythologies by White, Catherine Ann

Figuratively, of things held in high honor: Calumny; abuse; vilification.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

Calumny had aroused this storm of public opinion, it was a blind, unjust outbreak; she could defy it with a good conscience.

From Withered Leaves. Vol. III.(of III) A Novel by Gottschall, Rudolf von

Calumny, too," continued the old man, whose passion was now roused, "is conducted on the division-of-labor principle.

From One Of Them by Lever, Charles James

He is making the accusation and leading Calumny, a scornful Botticellian beauty, who holds in one hand a torch and with the other drags her victim by the hair to the judge's feet.

From The Story of Florence by Gardner, Edmund G.