/ ˈslɑːndə(r); NAmE ˈslæn-/ noun , verb
■ noun
[ C , U ] a false spoken statement intended to damage the good opinion people have of sb; the legal offence of making this kind of statement :
a vicious slander on the company's good name
He's suing them for slander.
—compare libel
► slan·der·ous / -dərəs; NAmE / adjective :
a slanderous remark
■ verb
[ vn ] to make a false spoken statement about sb that is intended to damage the good opinion that people have of them :
He angrily accused the investigators of slandering both him and his family.
—compare libel
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French esclandre , alteration of escandle , from late Latin scandalum cause of offence, from Greek skandalon snare, stumbling block.