əˈspərs, aˈ-, -ə̄s, -əis transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin aspersus, past participle of aspergere, adspergere to sprinkle, from ad- + -spergere (from spargere to strew, scatter) — more at spark
1.
a. archaic
(1) : to besprinkle (a person or thing) with a liquid or with dust
(2) : to sprinkle (as water or dust) upon anybody or anything
b.
(1) : to baptize by sprinkling
use of sprinkling and aspersing was made in old times but only exceptionally and in the case of dying and dangerously sick persons — C.N.Callinicos
(2) : to sprinkle with holy water
2. : to attack with foul reports or false and injurious charges : utter damaging charges or implications against in order to hurt the reputation of
asperse a man's character
Synonyms: see malign