slander

Definition of slander

Etymology

13th century. Via Old French esclandre, from Ecclesiastical Latin scandalum ("stumbling block, temptation"), from Ancient Greek σκάνδαλον (skandalon), "scandal").

Noun

slander (plural slanders)

1. a false, malicious statement (spoken or published), especially one which is injurious to a person's reputation; the making of such a statement

Verb

to slander (third-person singular simple present slanders, present participle slandering, simple past and past participle slandered)

1. to utter a slanderous statement

Synonyms

• defame
• libel

See also

• defamation