Main Entry: vil·i·fy

Pronunciation: \ˈvi-lə-ˌfī\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): vil·i·fied; vil·i·fy·ing

Etymology: Middle English vilifien, from Late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis cheap, vile

Date: 15th century

1 : to lower in estimation or importance
2 : to utter slanderous and abusive statements against : defame

synonyms see malign

— vil·i·fi·er \-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun