The AI-powered English dictionary
third-person singular simple present defames, present participle defaming, simple past and past participle defamed
To disgrace; to bring into disrepute. quotations examples
My guilt thy growing virtues did defame; / My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name.
1697, Virgil, “The Tenth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […]
(now chiefly historical) To charge; to accuse (someone) of an offence.
To harm or diminish the reputation of; to disparage. examples
countable and uncountable, plural defames
(now rare, archaic) Disgrace, dishonour. quotations
And all the sparks that may bring unto flame / Hate betwixt man and wife, or breed defame.
1613, John Marston, William Barksted, The Insatiate Countess, I.1
(now rare or nonstandard) Defamation; slander, libel.