defame
[ dih-feym ]
/ dɪˈfeɪm /
verb (used with object), de·famed, de·fam·ing.
to attack the good name or reputation of, as by uttering or publishing maliciously or falsely anything injurious; slander or libel; calumniate: The newspaper editorial defamed the politician.
Archaic. to disgrace; bring dishonor upon.
Archaic. to accuse.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
disparage, disgrace, scandalize, smear, malign, denigrate, discredit, vilify, besmirch, blister, knock, blacken, traduce, detract, stigmatize, dishonor, asperse, vituperate, belie, slam
Nearby words
- defaecate,
- defalcate,
- defalcation,
- defamation,
- defamatory,
- defamiliarization,
- defang,
- default,
- defaulter,
- defcon
Origin of defame
1275–1325; Middle English defamen (< Anglo-French defamer) < Medieval Latin dēfāmāre, by-form of Medieval Latin, Latin diffāmāre (dē- de- for dif-; compare Latin dēfāmātus infamous) to spread the news of, slander, equivalent to dif- dif- + -fāmāre verbal derivative of fāma news, rumor, slander (see fame); replacing Middle English diffamen (< Anglo-French, Old French diffamer) < Medieval Latin, Latin, as above
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for defame
defame
/ (dɪˈfeɪm) /
verb (tr)
to attack the good name or reputation of; slander; libel
archaic to indict or accuse
Word Origin for defame
C14: from Old French defamer, from Latin dēfāmāre, from diffāmāre to spread by unfavourable report, from fāma fame
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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defame
c.1300, from Old French defamer (13c., Modern French diffamer), from Medieval Latin defamare, from Latin diffamare "to spread abroad by ill report, make a scandal of," from dis- suggestive of ruination + fama "a report, rumor" (see fame (n.)). Related: Defamed; defaming.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper