v. t. [ L. denigrare; de- + nigrare to blacken, niger black. ] 1. To blacken thoroughly; to make very black. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: To blacken or sully; to defame. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To denigrate the memory of Voltaire. Morley. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign; -- used of statements.
Syn. -- calumniatory, calumnious, defamatory, denigrative, libellous, libelous, slanderous. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. denigratio. ] 1. The act of making black. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: A blackening; defamation. [ 1913 Webster ]

The vigorous denigration of science. Morley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, blackens. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. same as denigrating. [ PJC ]