I. ˈslan-dər transitive verb
( slan·dered ; slan·der·ing -d(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 13th century
: to utter slander against : defame
Synonyms: see malign
• slan·der·er -dər-ər noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Anglo-French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at scandal
Date: 14th century
1. : the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation
2. : a false and defamatory oral statement about a person — compare libel
• slan·der·ous -d(ə-)rəs adjective
• slan·der·ous·ly adverb
• slan·der·ous·ness noun