aspersion

[ uh-spur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]
/ əˈspɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

noun

a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; slander: casting aspersions on a campaign rival.
the act of slandering; vilification; defamation; calumniation; derogation: Such vehement aspersions cannot be ignored.
the act of sprinkling, as in baptism.
Archaic. a shower or spray.

Origin of aspersion

1545–55; (< Middle French) < Latin aspersiōn- (stem of aspersiō) a sprinkling. See asperse, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM aspersion

non·as·per·sion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for aspersion

British Dictionary definitions for aspersion

aspersion
/ (əˈspɜːʃən) /

noun

a disparaging or malicious remark; slanderous accusation (esp in the phrase cast aspersions (on))
the act of defaming
rare the act of sprinkling, esp of water in baptism