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asperse

 - 2 dictionary results

as⋅perse

  [uh-spurs]
Use asperse in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -persed, -pers⋅ing.
1. to attack with false, malicious, and damaging charges or insinuations; slander.
2. to sprinkle; bespatter.
Origin:
1480–90; < L aspersus besprinkled (ptp. of aspergere), equiv. to a- a- 5 + -sper- (comb. form of spar-, var. of sparg- sparge ) + -sus, var. of -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
as⋅pers⋅er, noun
as⋅per⋅sive, adjective
as⋅per⋅sive⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. malign, abuse, traduce.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To asperse
as·perse   (ə-spûrs')   
tr.v.   as·persed, as·pers·ing, as·pers·es

  1. To spread false or damaging charges or insinuations against. See Synonyms at malign.

  2. To sprinkle, especially with holy water.


[Middle English, to besprinkle, from Latin aspergere, aspers- : ad-, ad- + spargere, to strew.]
as·per'sive (-sĭv, -zĭv) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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