əˈspərzhən, -ə̄zh-, -əizh- also aˈs-, Brit usually & US also -shən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin aspersion-, aspersio, from aspersus + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : a sprinkling with water especially in religious ceremonies (as some forms of baptism)
aspersions of holy water — F.B.Artz
b. archaic : shower , spray
2.
a. : the act of calumniating : defamation
groundless aspersion of his wife's fidelity
b. : a calumnious or defamatory expression or reflection
some of his more detailed aspersions seem trigger-happy — P.H.Nowell-Smith
greets you by casting aspersions on your honesty — E.W.Lumsden