Main Entry:

de·fame

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈfām, dē-\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

de·famed; de·fam·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French deffamer, diffamer, from Medieval Latin defamare, alteration of Latin diffamare, from dis- + fama reputation, fame

Date:

14th century

1archaic : disgrace2: to harm the reputation of by libel or slander3archaic : accuse

synonyms see malign

— de·fam·er noun