as·perse ( -spûrs )
tr.v. as·persed, as·pers·ing, as·pers·es
1. To spread false or damaging charges or insinuations against. See Synonyms at malign.
2. To sprinkle, especially with holy water.
[Middle English, to besprinkle, from Latin aspergere, aspers- : ad-, ad- + spargere, to strew.]
as·per
sive (-s v, -zv) adj. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
asperse [əˈspɜːs]
vb (tr)
1. to spread false rumours about; defame
2. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) Rare to sprinkle, as with water in baptism
[from Latin aspersus, from aspergere to sprinkle]
asperser n
aspersive adj
aspersively adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
as•perse (əˈspɜrs)
v.t. -persed, -pers•ing.
1. to attack with false and damaging charges or insinuations; slander; malign.
2. to sprinkle; bespatter.
[1480–90; < Latin aspersus, past participle of aspergere to sprinkle, asperse <a- a-5 + spargere to scatter]
as•per′sive, adj.
as•per′sive•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
Thesaurus Legend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Verb | 1. | asperse - charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; "The journalists have defamed me!" "The article in the paper sullied my reputation"
accuse, charge - blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against; "he charged the director with indifference"
assassinate - destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation; "He assassinated his enemy's character"
libel - print slanderous statements against; "The newspaper was accused of libeling him"
badmouth, drag through the mud, malign, traduce - speak unfavorably about; "She badmouths her husband everywhere"
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Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
