from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Defame \De*fame"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defamed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defaming}.] [OE. defamen, diffamen, from F. diffamer, or
OF. perh. defamer, fr. L. diffamare (cf. defamatus infamous);
dis- (in this word confused with de) + fama a report. See
{Fame}.]
1. To harm or destroy the good fame or reputation of; to
disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to
dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse.
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2. To render infamous; to bring into disrepute.
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My guilt thy growing virtues did defame;
My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name. --Dryden.
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3. To charge; to accuse. [R.]
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Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the
person of a noble knight. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See {Asperse}.
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