[ad. L. calumnia and F. calomnie (15th c. in Littré).]
1. False and malicious misrepresentation of the words or actions of others, calculated to injure their reputation; libellous detraction, slander.
1564. Q. Eliz., in Froude, Hist. Eng. (1863), VIII. 103. Calumny will not fasten on me for ever.
1602. Shaks., Ham., III. i. 141. Be thou as chast as Ice, as pure as Snow, thou shalt not escape Calumny. Ibid. (1611), Wint. T., II. i. 72. The Shrug, the Hum, or Ha (these Petty-brands That Calumnie doth vse).
1751. Johnson, Rambl., No. 144, ¶ 6. Calumny is diffused by all arts and methods of propagation.
1838. Thirlwall, Greece, V. xl. 118. His conduct … had given a handle for calumny.
2. A false charge or imputation, intended to damage another’s reputation; a slanderous report.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, XX. (R.). What then need we vie calumnies, like women that will weare Their tongues out.
1675. Baxter, Cath. Theol., II. I. 108. The Synod of Dort rejecteth your accusation as a calumny.
1751. Johnson, Rambl., No. 183, ¶ 7. To spread suspicion, to invent calumnies, to propagate scandal, requires neither labour nor courage.
1836. J. Gilbert, Chr. Atonem., vi. (1852), 168. A calumny against the revealed character of God.
