(尤指以虚假言论)诽谤;中伤;损害(他人)名誉。常见于法律、新闻或正式语境。(名词形式:defamation“诽谤”)
/diˈfeɪm/
He tried to defame his colleague with a false rumor.
他试图用谣言诽谤他的同事。
The article was criticized for defaming the scientist by presenting unverified claims as facts.
这篇文章因把未经证实的说法当作事实来呈现、从而诽谤那位科学家而受到批评。
Defame 来自拉丁语 diffamare,由 *dis-*(“散开、到处”)+ fama(“名声、传闻”)构成,原意与“把坏名声散播开”有关,因此发展出“诽谤、毁坏名誉”的含义。