De*fame" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defamed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Defaming.] [OE. defamen, diffamen, from F. diffamer, or OF. perh. defamer, fr. L. diffamare (cf. defamatus infamous); dis- (in this word confused with de) + fama a report. See Fame.]
1.
To harm or destroy the good fame or reputation of; to disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse.
2.
To render infamous; to bring into disrepute.
My guilt thy growing virtues did defame;
My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name.
Dryden.
3.
To charge; to accuse.
[R.]
Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the person of a noble knight.
Sir W. Scott.
Syn. -- To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See Asperse.
© Webster 1913.
De*fame", n.
Dishonor.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.