calumniate

Etymology

From Latin calumniātus, perfect active participle of calumnior (“I accuse falsely”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kəˈlʌmni.eɪt/

• Audio (US)

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Verb

calumniate (third-person singular simple present calumniates, present participle calumniating, simple past and past participle calumniated)

1. (transitive) To make hurtful untrue comments about.
   • Strype

     Hatred unto the truth did always falsely report and calumniate all godly men's doings.

   • 1905, Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes, chapter 1

     There are adherents of each of the four French parties—Legitimists, Orleanists, Imperialists, and Republicans—in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe, decry, and calumniate each other.

2. (transitive) To levy a false charge against, especially of a vague offense, with the intent to damage someone's reputation or standing.

Participle

calumniāte

1. vocative masculine singular of calumniātus