Aspersion ASPER'SION, n. 1. A sprinkling, as of water or dust, in
a literal sense. 2. The spreading of calumnious reports or charges,
which tarnish reputation, like the bespattering of a body with foul water.
aspersion
n 1: a disparaging remark; "in the 19th century any reference to
female sexuality was considered a vile aspersion"; "it is
difficult for a woman to understand a man's sensitivity to
any slur on his virility" [syn: aspersion, slur]
2: an abusive attack on a person's character or good name [syn:
aspersion, calumny, slander, defamation,
denigration]
3: the act of sprinkling water in baptism (rare) [syn:
aspersion, sprinkling]
aspersion nounDate: circa 1587 1. a sprinkling with water especially in
religious ceremonies 2.a. a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone's reputation
<cast aspersions on her integrity> b. the act
of making such a charge ;defamation
Aspersion \As*per"sion\, n. [L. aspersio, fr. aspergere: cf. F.
aspersion.]
1. A sprinkling, as with water or dust, in a literal sense.
Behold an immersion, not and aspersion. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. The spreading of calumniations reports or charges which
tarnish reputation, like the bespattering of a body with
foul water; calumny.
Every candid critic would be ashamed to cast
wholesale aspersions on the entire body of
professional teachers. --Grote.
Who would by base aspersions blot thy virtue.
--Dryden.
aspersion
əsˈpə:ʃən n. slander, libel, false insinuation, calumny, imputation, allegation,
detraction, slur, obloquy, defamation, disparagement: He resented my casting aspersions on the
legitimacy of his birth.
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