— backbiter , n.
/bak"buyt'/ , v. , backbit, backbitten or ( Informal ) backbit; backbiting .
v.t.
1. to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present).
v.i.
2. to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present.
[ 1125-75; ME; see BACK 1 , BITE ]
Syn. 1. belittle, disparage, deprecate; slander, libel, defame.