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.

3. To charge; to accuse. [R.]

Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the person of a noble knight.

Syn. -- To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See Asperse.

De*fame", n. Dishonor. [Obs.] Chaucer.

• to try to diminish the reputation of; to publish a libel (about)