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.

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, noun de·fam·ing·ly, adverb un·de·famed, adjective un·de·fam·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH defame

defame libel slander

Example sentences 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, noun

Word Origin for defame

C14: from Old French defamer, from Latin dēfāmāre, from diffāmāre to spread by unfavourable report, from fāma fame