GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

  1.       
    
    Slander , n. [OE. sclandere, OF. esclandre, esclandle, escandre, F. esclandre, fr. L. scandalum, Gr. a snare, stumbling block, offense, scandal; probably originally, the spring of a trap, and akin to Skr. skand to spring, leap. See Scan, and cf. Scandal.]
    1. A false tale or report maliciously uttered, tending to injure the reputation of another; the malicious utterance of defamatory reports; the dissemination of malicious tales or suggestions to the injury of another.
      1913 Webster

      Whether we speak evil of a man to his face or behind his back; the former way, indeed, seems to be the most generous, but yet is a great fault, and that which we call “reviling;” the latter is more mean and base, and that which we properly call “slander”, or “Backbiting.”
      Tillotson.

      1913 Webster

      [We] make the careful magistrate
      The mark of slander.
      B. Jonson.

      1913 Webster

    2. Disgrace; reproach; dishonor; opprobrium.
      1913 Webster

      Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb.
      Shak.

      1913 Webster

    3. (Law) Formerly, defamation generally, whether oral or written; in modern usage, defamation by words spoken; utterance of false, malicious, and defamatory words, tending to the damage and derogation of another; calumny. See the Note under Defamation.
      Burril.

      1913 Webster
  2.       
    
    Slander , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slandered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Slandering.]
    1. To defame; to injure by maliciously uttering a false report; to tarnish or impair the reputation of by false tales maliciously told or propagated; to calumniate.
      1913 Webster

      O, do not slander him, for he is kind.
      Shak.

      1913 Webster

    2. To bring discredit or shame upon by one's acts.
      1913 Webster

      Tax not so bad a voice
      To slander music any more than once.
      Shak.

      1913 Webster

      Syn. -- To asperse; defame; calumniate; vilify; malign; belie; scandalize; reproach. See Asperse.

      1913 Webster

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