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Definition of 'calumny'

Word Frequency

calumny

(kæləmni )
Word forms: plural calumnies
variable noun
Calumny or a calumny is an untrue statement made about someone in order to reduce other people's respect and admiration for them.
[formal]
He was the victim of calumny.
Synonyms: slander, abuse, insult, smear   More Synonyms of calumny
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

calumny in British

(ˈkæləmnɪ )
noun plural -nies
1. 
the malicious utterance of false charges or misrepresentation; slander; defamation
2. 
such a false charge or misrepresentation
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'calumny'
C15: from Latin calumnia deception, slander
Word Frequency

calumny in American

(ˈkæləmni ; kalˈəmnē)
nounWord forms: plural ˈcalumnies
1. 
a false and malicious statement meant to hurt someone's reputation
2. 
the uttering of such a statement; slander
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'calumny'
Fr calomnie < L calumnia, trickery, slander < IE base *kēl-, *kol-, to deceive, confuse > OE hol, slander

Example sentences containing 'calumny'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
This was calumny as they both knew that Dalziel's ability to trip lightly on the dance floor was indeed fantastic. Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
`Anyone, anyone, accused of calumny against the state is automatically sentenced to five years in jail. Collins, Larry BLACK EAGLES (2001)

Trends of 'calumny'

Used Occasionally. calumny is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'calumny'

  • calumnies
  • calumnious
  • calumniously
  • calumny
  • calutron
  • Calvados
  • calvaria

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'C'

Source

Definition of calumny from the Collins English Dictionary

The full stop ( . )

Full stops are used: to mark the end of a sentence Let’s have some lunch. I have to catch a bus in ten minutes. to mark the end of a sentence fragment Are you cold?– Yes, a bit . Do you like ...
Read more about 'The full stop ( . )'
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Scrabble score for 'calumny': 14
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