| 释义 |
defamatory, a.|dɪˈfæmətərɪ|
Also 6–7 diff-.
[ad. med.L. diffāmātōrius, F. diffamatoire (14th c.), f. as prec.: see -ory.]
1. Of the nature of, or characterized by, defamation; having the property of defaming.
1592Sutcliffe (title), Answere to a certaine libel, supplicatory, or rather Diffamatory. 1656Earl of Monmouth Advt. fr. Parnass. 144 Though the poets let fly diffamatory verses. 1669Clarendon Ess. Tracts (1727) 157 Defamatory writings. 1749Fielding Tom Jones (1775) II. 177 Who..condemn the whole in general defamatory terms. 1848Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 482 James..had instituted a civil suit against Oates for defamatory words.
b. Const. of, to.
1655Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. iii. §23 For dispersing of scandalous Pamphlets defamatory to the Queen and State. Ibid. x. i. §26 Such papers defamatory of the present Government. 1868Stanley Westm. Abb. vi. 523 A passage defamatory of ten Bishops. 1891Times 14 Jan. 5/5 The Portuguese Government has protested..against the posting..of bills and circulars defamatory to its credit.
2. Of persons: Employing or addicted to defamation.
1769Junius Lett. ii. 13 All such defamatory writers. 1836Hor. Smith Tin Trump. (1876) 333 They have a good excuse for being defamatory. |