English Explanatory Dictionary

calumny

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A false accusation or charge brought to tarnish another's reputation or standing.
  2. Falsifications or misrepresentations intended to disparage or discredit another.
verb
  1. To make false accusations or levy false charges against a person with the intent to tarnish that person's reputation or standing; to calumniate.

Pronunciation

/ˈkæləmni/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-calumny.wav en-au-calumny.ogg /kəˈlʌmni/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-calumny2.wav

Word forms

calumny calumnies calumnying calumnied

Etymology

From Late Middle English calumnīe (“false accusation, slander; (law) objection raised in bad faith”), borrowed from Old French calomnie (“slander, calumny”) (modern French calomnie), or directly from its etymon Latin calumnia (“false statement, misrepresentation; false accusation, malicious charge”), perhaps also related to calvor (“to deceive”). The English word is a doublet of challenge. The verb is derived from French calomnier (“to slander”), from Late Latin calumniāre, from Latin calumpniārī, calumniārī (“to blame unjustly, misrepresent, calumniate; (law) to accuse falsely, bring false information against”), from calumnia (see above) + -or.

Synonyms

calumniousness defamation obloquy traducement vilification aspersion calumny character assassination detraction disparagement libel slander assassinate asperse backbite badmouth befoul belibel besmirch besmear bewray blacken blame blaze blemish blot blur calumniate chat shit chat shite cloud defame demonize denigrate deprave depreciate detract dirty discredit disgrace disparage disrepute diss drag through the mud forgab forspeak foul infamize lampoon malign monsterize muddy reproach revile scandal shit-talk slag smear smirch spatter

Derived words

calumniate calumniatory calumnious calumniousness oath of calumny
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