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tr.v. de·famed, de·fam·ing, de·fames 1. To damage the reputation, character, or good name of (someone) by slander or libel. See Synonyms at malign. 2. Archaic To disgrace. [Middle English defamen, from Old French defamer, from Medieval Latin dēfāmāre, alteration of Latin diffāmāre, to spread news of, slander : dis-, abroad, apart; see DIS- + fāma, rumor, reputation; see bhā-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] de·famer n. |
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