defamation
(diːfəˈmeɪʃən, dɛf-)
Forms: 4–6 diff-, dyffamacion, -oun, etc., 6–8 diffamation, 5– defamation.
[ad. OF. diffamation, L. diffāmātiōn-em, n. of action from diffāmāre, with same change of prefix as in defame.]
† 1. The bringing of ill fame or dishonour upon any one; disgrace, shame. Obs.
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 7427 Þe dede ys confusyun, And more ys þe dyffamacyun. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 313 Som tyme it were a greet diffamacioun for a man to vse more rynges þan oon. 1533 Bellenden Livy ii. (1822) 164 The Romanis has maid thair playis allanerlie this day to youre diffamacioun and schame. 1633 Prynne Histrio-Mastix i. iii. vi. (R.), Their ayme is onely men's defamation, not their reformation. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 262 ¶2 Any thing that may tend to the Defamation of particular Persons, Families, or Societies. |
2. The action of defaming, or attacking any one's good fame; the fact of being defamed or slandered; also (with pl.), an act or instance of defaming.
| c 1386 Chaucer Friar's T. 6 In punysshynge..Of diffamacioun and auowtrye. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. v. xii. 1322 Wylful Defamatyownys. 1529 More Dyaloge i. Wks. 127/1 The priest sued him before y⊇ bishoppes offyciall for Dyffamatyon. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 113 Defamations breathed from the poyson of malice. 1633 Ames Agst. Cerem. ii. 530 It was necessarie to speak againe for a good cause, lest diffamation should prævayl against it. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 105 ¶4 The Father of Boniface brought his Action of Defamation..and recovered Dammages. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 212 Diffamation, or Defamation..is the uttering of reproachful Speeches, or contumelious Language of any one, with an Intent of raising an ill Fame of the Party thus reproached; and this extends to Writing..and to Deeds. 1883 Law Rep. 11 Q. Bench Div. 595 An advocate is protected from an action for defamation only when the words he utters are spoken bonâ fide, and are relevant to the matters before the Court. |