slander

[slan-der] /ˈslæn dər/
noun
1.
defamation; calumny:
rumors full of slander.
2.
a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report:
a slander against his good name.
3.
Law. defamation by oral utterance rather than by writing, pictures, etc.
verb (used with object)
4.
to utter slander against; defame.
verb (used without object)
5.
to utter or circulate slander.
Origin
1250-1300; (noun) Middle English s(c)laundre < Anglo-French esclaundre, Old French esclandre, alteration of escandle < Late Latin scandalum cause of offense, snare (see scandal); (v.) Middle English s(c)laundren to cause to lapse morally, bring to disgrace, discredit, defame < Old French esclandrer, derivative of esclandre
Related forms
slanderer, noun
slanderingly, adverb
slanderous, adjective
slanderously, adverb
slanderousness, noun
nonslanderous, adjective
outslander, verb (used with object)
quasi-slanderous, adjective
quasi-slanderously, adverb
reslander, verb (used with object)
unslandered, adjective
unslanderous, adjective
unslanderously, adverb
unslanderousness, noun
Can be confused
defamation, liable, libel, slander (see usage note at liable)
defame, libel, slander.
libel, slander.
Synonyms
4. malign, vilify, revile.
Examples from the web for slander
  • It is a cruel slander to say that the race will not work, except on compulsion.
  • Using slander is really not an intelligent way to bolster your own argument.
  • It is a crime to incite a riot, for instance, as it is to libel or slander someone.
  • The accusations that both got their jobs through cronyism approaches slander.
  • He was called ignorant by some fool and he sued them for slander.
  • What this guy has is a libel and slander suit against him.
  • If the witch was acquitted, the accuser might have to pay all costs, and could also be sued for slander.
British Dictionary definitions for slander

slander

/ˈslɑːndə/
noun
1.
(law)
  1. defamation in some transient form, as by spoken words, gestures, etc
  2. a slanderous statement, etc
2.
any false or defamatory words spoken about a person; calumny
verb
3.
to utter or circulate slander (about)
Derived Forms
slanderer, noun
slanderous, adjective
slanderously, adverb
slanderousness, noun
Word Origin
C13: via Anglo-French from Old French escandle, from Late Latin scandalum a cause of offence; see scandal
Word Origin and History for slander
n.

late 13c., "state of impaired reputation, disgrace or dishonor;" c.1300, "a false tale; the fabrication and dissemination of false tales," from Anglo-French esclaundre, Old French esclandre "scandalous statement," alteration ("with interloping l" [Century Dictionary]) of escandle, escandre "scandal," from Latin scandalum "cause of offense, stumbling block, temptation" (see scandal). From late 14c. as "bad situation, evil action; a person causing such a state of affairs."

v.

c.1300, from Anglo-French esclaundrer, Old French esclandrer, from esclandre (see slander (n.)). Related: Slandered; slandering; slanderer.