slanderous, a.
(ˈslɑːndərəs, -æ-)
Forms: α. 5–7 sclaunderous (5 -drous(e), 6 sclandero(u)s. β. 6 skla(u)nderous(e), Sc. sklanderus. γ. 5–7 slaunderous (6 -erus), 7 slandrous, 6– slanderous.
[ad. AF. *esclandrus, = OF. esclandreux (1455), f. esclandre slander n.: see -ous.]
† 1. a. Of bad repute; discreditable, disgraceful, shameful. Obs. (Freq. in 16th cent.)
| 1402 Hoccleve Letter of Cupid 67 Now ys it good, confesse him a traytoure, and bringe a woman to a sclaundrouse name. 1535 Coverdale Prov. ii. 15 Whose wayes are croked, and their pathes slaunderous. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 35 That filthy and sklaunderous life of pristes. 1589 Warner Alb. Eng. Prose Addit. (1602) 335 Our effeminate abode here is vaine and slanderous. |
† b. Forming a source of shame or disgrace
to some one.
Obs. rare.
| 1592 Arden of Feversham iii. v, Tis thou hast..made me slanderous to all my kin. 1595 Shakes. John iii. i. 44 If thou.. wert grim, Vgly, and slandrous to thy Mothers wombe, Full of vnpleasing blots [etc.]. |
† c. Giving cause or occasion for slander.
Obs.—1| 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. iv. i. 20 Though we lay these Honours on this man, To ease our selues of diuers sland'rous loads. |
2. Of words, reports, language, etc.: Of the nature of, characterized by, or containing slander or calumny; calumnious, defamatory.
| α β 1424 in Cal. Pat. Rolls, Hen. VI, II. (1907) 31 Non of the xxiiij aldermen xal..supporten..no maner of persone..in spekyng of sclaundrous wordes. c 1500 in Leadam Star Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.) 101 It is allegid by the seid Complaynaunt in his seducyous and sclaunderous bill [etc.]. 1535 Starkey Lett. in England (1870) p. xx, Where as sklanderouse fame & mysreport may perauentur put you in suspycyon of the contrary. 1566 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 481 Quhat sclanderous brute and rumour is spred. |
| γ 1485 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 288/2 An inordinate, seditious and slaunderous Acte..made ayenst..King Herrie the VI{supt}{suph}. 1529 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. xiv. 256 Yt ys ordeyned that no man of the sayde Felyshippe shall..speke any Slaunderus wordes yn disablyng hym of hys science. 1573 L. Lloyd Marrow of Hist. (1653) 44 He was openly beheaded by decree of all the Senate, and a slanderous Epitaph set upon his grave. 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 229 Some had giuen out most slaunderous speeches against him. 1667 Milton P.L. xii. 536 Truth shall retire Bestuck with slandrous darts. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 267 This part of Mr. W's reply, I call slanderous personal abuse. 1858 Froude Hist. Eng. IV. xix. 114 His supposed offences were slanderous expressions used against the king. 1883 Law Rep. 11 Q.B.D. 597 The highest judge in the land is answerable in damages for slanderous language. |
3. Of persons, etc.: Given to the use of slander or calumny; employing slander as a means of defaming or injuring others. Also
absol.| αβ 1521 Fisher Serm. agst. Luther ii. Wks. (1876) 327 The sklaunderous mouthe & cruel tethe that Martyn luther hath set vpon them [sc. Sacraments]. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform. viii. 2 Skorner of poitis and sklanderus knaif! 1647 Hexham i, Sclaunderous lippes, lasterlicke lippen. |
| γ 1559 in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. viii. 116 To stop the mouths of evil and slaunderous reporters. 1564 Brief Exam. *ij, He wyll not be slaunderous to any man. 1622 in Foster Eng. Factories Ind. (1908) II. 88 Lyinge, slanderouse rogues. 1653 Ld. Vaux tr. Godeau's St. Paul 210 Nor covetous persons, nor envious, nor slanderous,..shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. 1769 Junius Lett. ii. (1780) 40 They find no notice taken of, or reply given to, these slanderous tongues and pens. 1838 Arnold in Life & Corr. (1844) II. viii. 114 Zealous,..and pious, but narrow-minded in the last degree, fierce and slanderous. |
| transf. a 1616 Beaumont Bridal Song iv, The crow, the slanderous cuckoo, nor The boding raven. |
† 4. Of the nature of a scandal or offence,
= scandalous 1.
Obs.| 1553 Hooper Let. in Foxe A. & M. (1583) 1513/2 These men..may be kept by one sclaunderous stumbling blocke or other, that they neuer come vnto Christ. |