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.
Rebecca is... defamed of sorcery practiced on the person of a noble knight. Sir W. Scott.
Syn. — To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See Asperse.