defame

动词 defame:

1. charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
   同义词：slander, smirch, asperse, denigrate, calumniate, smear, sully, besmirch

1. The article is an attempt to defame an honest man.
   这篇文章旨在诋毁一个正直的人。

de.fame

v.tr.（及物动词）
de.famed,de.fam.ing,de.fames
To damage the reputation, character, or good name of by slander or libel.See Synonyms at malign
用诽谤的手段损害…的名誉、人格或好名声参见 malign
Archaic To disgrace.
【古语】 使…出丑

来源：
Middle English defamen
中古英语 defamen
from Old French defamer
源自 古法语 defamer
from Medieval Latin dôf3m3re
源自 中世纪拉丁语 dôf3m3re
alteration of Latin diff3m3re [to spread news of, slander]
拉丁语 diff3m3re的变化 [传播…的消息，诽谤]
dis- [abroad, apart] * see dis-
dis- [广为传播，分开] *参见 dis-
f3ma [rumor, reputation] * see bh3- 2
f3ma [谣言，声誉] *参见 bh3- 2

【引伸】
defam.er
n.（名词）