DEFAMATION
Def`a*ma"tion, n. Etym: [OE. diffamacioun, F. diffamation. See
Defame.]
Defn: Act of injuring another's reputation by any slanderous communication, written or oral; the wrong of maliciously injuring the good name of another; slander; detraction; calumny; aspersion.
Note: In modern usage, written defamation bears the title of libel, and oral defamation that of slander. Burrill.
DEFAMATORY
De*fam"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Containing defamation; injurious to reputation; calumnious; slanderous; as, defamatory words; defamatory writings.
DEFAME De*fame", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Defaming.] Etym: [OE. defamen, diffamen, from F. diffamer, or OF. perh. defamer, fr. L. diffamare (cf. defamatus infamous); dis- (in this word confused with de) + fama a report. See Fame.]
1. To harm or destroy the good fame or reputation of; to disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse.
2. To render infamous; to bring into disrepute. My guilt thy growing virtues did defame; My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name. Dryden.
3. To charge; to accuse. [R.] Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the person of a noble knight. Sir W. Scott.
Syn.
— To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See Asperse.