slander
UK: ˈslɑːndə | US: ˈslændər
n. a false spoken statement intended to damage someone’s reputation
vt. to make false and damaging statements about someone
slander = sland<scandal> + er<noun/verb suffix>
- sland (from Old French esclandre, meaning "scandal" or "disgrace")
- er (a suffix used to form nouns or verbs, indicating action or result)
Etymology Origin:
The word "slander" traces back to Old French esclandre, derived from Latin scandalum (meaning "stumbling block" or "cause of offense"). Over time, the meaning narrowed to focus specifically on false spoken accusations that harm reputation. The suffix "-er" was added in Middle English to form both the noun and verb forms, emphasizing the act or result of defamation.
The politician sued the newspaper for slander after false accusations were published.
Spreading slander about a colleague can lead to serious legal consequences.
She was devastated by the slander that ruined her professional reputation.
In some cultures, slander is considered a grave moral offense.
The court dismissed the case due to lack of evidence supporting the slander claim.