- asperse
- asperse (v.) late 15c., "to besprinkle," from L. aspersus, pp. of aspergere (see ASPERSION (Cf. aspersion)). Meaning "to bespatter someone's character with rumor and false reports" is recorded from 1610s.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
asperse
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Asperse — As*perse , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aspersed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Aspersing}.] [L. aspersus, p. p. of aspergere to scatter, sprinkle; ad + spargere to strew. See {Sparse}.] 1. To sprinkle, as water or dust, upon anybody or anything, or to besprinkle… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
asperse — index brand (stigmatize), complain (criticize), condemn (blame), contemn, defame, denigrate … Law dictionary
asperse — vb vilify, *malign, traduce, calumniate, slander, defame, libel Analogous words: disparage, depreciate, derogate, detract, *decry: revile, vituperate (see SCOLD): defile (see CONTAMINATE) Contrasted words: *praise, extol, laud, acclaim, eulogize … New Dictionary of Synonyms
asperse — [ə spʉrs′] vt. aspersed, aspersing [< L aspersus, pp. of aspergere, to sprinkle on < ad , to + spargere, to sprinkle, strew: see SPARK1] 1. Rare to sprinkle water on, as in baptizing 2. to spread false or damaging charges against; slander … English World dictionary
asperse — as•perse [[t]əˈspɜrs[/t]] v. t. persed, pers•ing 1) to attack with false and damaging charges or insinuations; slander; malign 2) to sprinkle; bespatter • Etymology: 1480–90; < L aspersus, ptp. of aspergere to sprinkle, asperse < a a… … From formal English to slang
asperse — transitive verb (aspersed; aspersing) Etymology: Latin aspersus, past participle of aspergere, from ad + spargere to scatter more at spark Date: 15th century 1. sprinkle; especially to sprinkle with holy water 2. to attack with evil … New Collegiate Dictionary
asperse — asperser, n. aspersive, adj. aspersively, adv. /euh sperrs /, v.t., aspersed, aspersing. 1. to attack with false, malicious, and damaging charges or insinuations; slander. 2. to sprinkle; bespatter. [1480 90; < L aspersus besprinkled (ptp. of… … Universalium
asperse — verb a) To sprinkle or scatter (liquid or dust). b) To falsely or maliciously charge another … Wiktionary
asperse — Synonyms and related words: affront, calumniate, christen, defame, denigrate, deride, immerse, insult, libel, mock, offend, scandal, scandalize, slander, slur, sprinkle, taunt, traduce … Moby Thesaurus
asperse — (Roget s Thesaurus II) verb To make defamatory statements about: backbite, calumniate, defame, malign, slander, slur, tear down, traduce, vilify. Law: libel. Idiom: cast aspersions on. See ATTACK, CRIMES, LAW … English dictionary for students
