Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

defame

 - 4 dictionary results
Slander & Defamation Help
Get Legal Help With Slander Issues. Affordable Attorneys. Request Info.
www.legal-experts.net
Defamation of Character
66p. guide to fighting defamation, slander and libel. (in PDF)
www.dancingwithlawyers.com
Defames
Legal Advice for Defamation. Matched Instantly! Start in Seconds
RequestLegalHelp.com

de⋅fame

  [di-feym]
Use defame in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -famed, -fam⋅ing.
1. 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.
2. Archaic. to disgrace; bring dishonor upon.
3. Archaic. to accuse.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME defamen (< AF defamer) < ML dēfāmāre, by-form of ML, L diffāmāre (dē- de- for dif-; cf. L dēfāmātus infamous) to spread the news of, slander, equiv. to dif- dif- + -fāmāre v. deriv. of fāma news, rumor, slander (see fame ); r. ME diffamen (< AF, OF diffamer) < ML, L, as above

Related forms:
de⋅fam⋅er, noun
de⋅fam⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. malign, disparage, discredit, vilify, derogate, revile, denigrate, backbite.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To defame
Slander & Defamation Help
Get Legal Help With Slander Issues. Affordable Attorneys. Request Info.
www.legal-experts.net
Defamation of Character
66p. guide to fighting defamation, slander and libel. (in PDF)
www.dancingwithlawyers.com
de·fame   (dĭ-fām')   
tr.v.   de·famed, de·fam·ing, de·fames

  1. To damage the reputation, character, or good name of by slander or libel. See Synonyms at malign.

  2. Archaic To disgrace.


[Middle English defamen, from Old French defamer, from Medieval Latin dēfāmāre, alteration of Latin diffāmāre, to spread news of, slander : dis-, abroad, apart; see dis- + fāma, rumor, reputation; see bhā-2 in Indo-European roots.]
de·fam'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

defame 
1303, from O.Fr. defamer, from M.L. defamare, from L. diffamare "to spread abroad by ill report," from dis- suggestive of ruination + fama "a report, rumor."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: de·fame
Pronunciation: di-'fAm
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: de·famed; de·fam·ing
Etymology: Medieval Latin defamare, alteration of Latin diffamare to spread news of, defame, from dis-, prefix marking dispersal or removal + fama reputation
: to make the subject of defamation —de·fam·er noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see defame on Thesaurus | Reference
Defames
Legal Advice for Defamation. Matched Instantly! Start in Seconds
RequestLegalHelp.com
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way