Vĭl'i-fy, v. t.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. VILIFIED; p. pr. & vb. n. VILIFYING.] [Lat. vilificare, from vilis, vile, and facere, to make, It. vilificare, Pr. & Pg. vilificar.] 1. To make vile; to debase; to degrade. [Rare.] Their Maker’s image Forsook them, when themselves they vilified To serve ungoverned appetite. Milton. 2. To defame; to traduce; to attempt to degrade by slander. Many passions dispose us to depress and vilify the merit of one rising in the esteem of mankind. Addison. 3. To treat as vile; to treat with contempt; to despise. [Obs. and rare.] I do vilify your censure. Beau. & Fl.