GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

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.]
   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
   Disgrace; reproach; dishonor; opprobrium.
   1913 Webster
   Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   (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.]
   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
   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