I. ˈslandə(r), -laan-, -lȧn- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English slaundre, sclaundre, sclandre, from Old French esclandre, esclande, escandle scandal, slander, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at scandal
1. : utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage reputation
2. : a false tale or report maliciously uttered orally, tending to injure the reputation of another, and constituting a legal tort : a malicious oral utterance of false defamatory reports : malicious publication by speech of false tales or suggestions to the injury of another — compare libel
3. obsolete : disgrace, shame, or reproach that falls on one usually by reason of personal acts or character
thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb — Shakespeare
4. obsolete : a cause of sin : an obstacle to virtue
5. obsolete : one that is a disgrace or discredit to a body of which he is a part
Synonyms: see detraction
II. verb
( slandered ; slandered ; slandering -d(ə)riŋ ; slanders )
Etymology: Middle English slaunderen, slaundren, sclaunderen, sclaundren, from Middle French esclandrer, esclander, from Old French, from esclandre, esclande slander
transitive verb
1. : to hurt the reputation of by malicious utterance containing a false or injurious representation : utter slander against : defame
2. obsolete : to bring shame or discredit to : disgrace
3. obsolete : to accuse unjustly : charge , blame
intransitive verb
: to utter or spread slander
Synonyms: see malign