— defamer , n. — defamingly , adv.
/di faym"/ , v.t., defamed, defaming .
1. to attack the good name or reputation of, as by uttering or publishing maliciously or falsely anything injurious; slander or libel; calumniate: The newspaper editorial defamed the politician.
2. Archaic. to disgrace; bring dishonor upon.
3. Archaic. to accuse.
[ 1275-1325; ME defamen ( defamer ) defamare, by-form of ML, L diffamare ( de- DE- for dif-; cf. L defamatus infamous) to spread the news of, slander, equiv. to dif- DIF- + -famare v. deriv. of fama news, rumor, slander (see FAME); r. ME diffamen ( diffamer ) ]
Syn. 1. malign, disparage, discredit, vilify, derogate, revile, denigrate, backbite.