defaming

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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Defame \De*fame"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Defaming.] [OE. defamen, diffamen, from F. diffamer, or OF. perh. defamer, fr. L. diffamare (cf. defamatus infamous); dis- (in this word confused with de) + fama a report. See Fame.]

1.To harm or destroy the good fame or reputation of; to disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse. [1913 Webster]

2.To render infamous; to bring into disrepute. [1913 Webster]

My guilt thy growing virtues did defame; My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

3.To charge; to accuse. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the person of a noble knight.— Sir W. Scott.

Syn: To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See Asperse. [1913 Webster]

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