释义 |
slan·der I. \ˈslandə(r), -laan-, -lȧn-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English slaundre, sclaundre, sclandre, from Old French esclandre, esclande, escandle scandal, slander, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at scandal 1. : utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage reputation 2. : a false tale or report maliciously uttered orally, tending to injure the reputation of another, and constituting a legal tort : a malicious oral utterance of false defamatory reports : malicious publication by speech of false tales or suggestions to the injury of another — compare libel 3. obsolete : disgrace, shame, or reproach that falls on one usually by reason of personal acts or character < thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb — Shakespeare > 4. obsolete : a cause of sin : an obstacle to virtue 5. obsolete : one that is a disgrace or discredit to a body of which he is a part Synonyms: see detraction II. verb (slandered ; slandered ; slandering \-d(ə)riŋ\ ; slanders) Etymology: Middle English slaunderen, slaundren, sclaunderen, sclaundren, from Middle French esclandrer, esclander, from Old French, from esclandre, esclande slander transitive verb 1. : to hurt the reputation of by malicious utterance containing a false or injurious representation : utter slander against : defame 2. obsolete : to bring shame or discredit to : disgrace 3. obsolete : to accuse unjustly : charge, blame intransitive verb : to utter or spread slander Synonyms: see malign |