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.
Words nearby defame
defaecate, defalcate, defalcation, defamation, defamatory, defame, 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
OTHER WORDS FROM defame
de·fam·er, nounde·fam·ing·ly, adverbun·de·famed, adjectiveun·de·fam·ing, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for defame
British Dictionary definitions for defame
defame
/ (dɪˈfeɪm) /
verb (tr)
to attack the good name or reputation of; slander; libel
archaic to indict or accuse
Derived forms of defame
defamer, nounWord 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
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