/ ˈvɪlɪfaɪ; NAmE / verb
( vili·fies , vili·fy·ing , vili·fied , vili·fied ) [ vn ] vilify sb/sth (as sth) | vilify sb/sth (for sth / for doing sth) ( formal ) to say or write unpleasant things about sb/sth so that other people will have a low opinion of them
SYN malign , revile
► vili·fi·ca·tion / ˌvɪlɪfɪˈkeɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
the vilification of single parents by right-wing politicians
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense lower in value): from late Latin vilificare , from Latin vilis of low value.