Slander

n. [O. Eng. esclaundre, Fr. esclandre, O. Fr. esclaundre, from Lat. scandalum, Gr. σκάνδαλον. See SCANDAL.]

1Sense 1. A false tale or report maliciously uttered, and tending to injure the reputation of another.

Whether we speak evil of a man to his face or behind his back; the former way, indeed, seems to be the most generous, but yet is a great fault, and that which we call “reviling:” the latter is more mean and base, and that which we properly call “slander” or “backbiting.” Tillotson.

Slander, that worst of poisons, ever finds An easy entrance to ignoble minds. Hervey.

2Sense 2. Disgrace; reproach; dishonor. [Rare.] Shak.

3Sense 3. (Law.) Formerly, defamation generally, whether oral or written; in modern usage, defamation by words spoken; utterance of false, malicious, and defamatory words, tending to the damage and derogation of another; detraction; calumny. Burrill.

[imp. & p. p. SLANDERED; p. pr. & vb. n. SLANDERING.] To defame; to injure by maliciously uttering a false report; to tarnish or impair the reputation of by false tales maliciously told or propagated; to calumniate.

O, do not slander him, for he is kind. Shak.

Synonyms—To asperse; defame; calumniate; vilify; scandalize; reproach. See ASPERSE.