n. [ OE. diffamacioun, F. diffamation. See Defame. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ In modern usage, written defamation bears the title of libel, and oral defamation that of slander. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Containing defamation; injurious to reputation; calumnious; slanderous;
v. t.
My guilt thy growing virtues did defame;
My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the person of a noble knight. Sir W. Scott.
n. Dishonor. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who defames; a slanderer; a detractor; a calumniator. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In a defamatory manner. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Defamatory. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]