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