Meaning of defame in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /dəˈfeɪm/

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    UK accent

  1. Verb

    defame

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Old French diffamer, from Latin diffamare‘spread evil report’, from dis- (expressing removal) + fama‘report’

    Definitions

    1. charge falsely or with malicious intent

    Examples

    • « attack the good name and reputation of someone »
    • « The journalists have defamed me!" "The article in the paper sullied my reputation »

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « And what do Democrats stand for, if they are so ready to defame concerned citizens as the 'mob' - a word betraying a Marie Antoinette delusion of superiority to ordinary mortals. I thought my party was populist, attentive to the needs and wishes of those outside the power structure. And as a product of the 1960s, I thought the Democratic party was passionately committed to freedom of thought and speech. »
    Camille Paglia

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