— asperser , n. — aspersive , adj. — aspersively , adv.
/euh sperrs"/ , v.t., aspersed, aspersing .
1. to attack with false, malicious, and damaging charges or insinuations; slander.
2. to sprinkle; bespatter.
[ 1480-90; aspersus besprinkled (ptp. of aspergere ), equiv. to a- A- 5 + -sper- (comb. form of spar-, var. of sparg- SPARGE) + -sus, var. of -tus ptp. suffix ]
Syn. 1. malign, abuse, traduce.