different between calumnious vs calumniate

English

Etymology

From Late Latin calumni?sus.

Adjective

calumnious (comparative more calumnious, superlative most calumnious)

1. Possessing the traits of calumny.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:defamatory

Derived terms

• calumniousness

Translations

English

Etymology

From Latin calumni?tus, perfect active participle of calumnior (“I accuse falsely”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k??l?mni.e?t/

Verb

calumniate (third-person singular simple present calumniates, present participle calumniating, simple past and past participle calumniated)

1. (transitive) To make hurtful untrue comments about.
   • a. 1555, John Hooper, A Brief Treatise respecting Judge Hales

     Hatred unto the truth did always falsely report and calumniate all godly men's doings.

   • 1905, Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes, chapter 1

     There are adherents of each of the four French parties—Legitimists, Orleanists, Imperialists, and Republicans—in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe, decry, and calumniate each other.

2. (transitive) To levy a false charge against, especially of a vague offense, with the intent to damage someone's reputation or standing.

Synonyms

• (to make hurtful untrue statements): slander
• See also Thesaurus:defame

Related terms

• calumniation
• calumniator
• calumniatory
• calumnious
• calumny

Translations

Latin

Participle

calumni?te

1. vocative masculine singular of calumni?tus