as·perse

(ə-spûrs′)

tr.v. as·persed, as·pers·ing, as·pers·es

a. To spread false or damaging accusations or insinuations against (someone).

b. To slander or libel; defame.

2. To sprinkle, especially with holy water.

[Middle English, to besprinkle, from Latin aspergere, aspers- : ad-, ad- + spargere, to strew.]

as·per′sive (-sĭv, -zĭv) adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Mentioned in

libellous

References in periodicals archive

Thus, a technology created through extension may be modified through subversion and produce 'aspersive' side effects, which are then in turn managed through further extension.

Remembering Epimetheus: biotechnologies and the market

(1.) Queer has been used derogatorily for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and has, over the last decade, been adopted as an identity by many members of these communities to deconstruct and dismantle its aspersive power.

Staging activism: New York City performing artists as cultural workers

Given the temporary nature of Internet content, the aspersive language inherently will lack permanence, and it should be documented to prepare for future legal action.

Cybersmear may be coming to a Website near you: a primer for corporate victims; how to respond or combat venomous comments from current or former disgruntled employees presents both legal and non-legal problems

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