Slander

Definition of Slander

Slan´der

n.	1.	A false tale or report maliciously uttered, tending to injure the reputation of another; the malicious utterance of defamatory reports; the dissemination of malicious tales or suggestions to the injury of another. Whether we speak evil of a man to his face or behind his back; the former way, indeed, seems to be the most generous, but yet is a great fault, and that which we call "reviling;" the latter is more mean and base, and that which we properly call "slander", or "Backbiting." - Tillotson. [We] make the careful magistrate The mark of slander. - B. Jonson.
	2.	Disgrace; reproach; dishonor; opprobrium. Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb. - Shak.
	3.	(Law) Formerly, defamation generally, whether oral or written; in modern usage, defamation by words spoken; utterance of false, malicious, and defamatory words, tending to the damage and derogation of another; calumny. See the Note under Defamation.
v. t.	1.	To defame; to injure by maliciously uttering a false report; to tarnish or impair the reputation of by false tales maliciously told or propagated; to calumniate. [imp. & p. p. Slandered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Slandering.] O, do not slander him, for he is kind. - Shak.
	2.	To bring discredit or shame upon by one's acts. Tax not so bad a voice To slander music any more than once. - Shak.

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