aspersion

From Latin aspersiō (“sprinkling”).

aspersion (plural aspersions)

1. An attack on somebody's reputation or good name, often in the phrase to cast aspersions upon….
   • 1799, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, “Resolutions of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania to Kentucky”, in State Documents on Federal Relations, University of Pennsylvania, published 1906, page 21:

     No criminality can be infered or punishment inflicted, but for writing, printing, uttering, or publishing false, scandalous and malicious aspersions against the government.

2. (obsolete) A sprinkling of holy water.
   • 1610, The Tempest, by Shakespeare, act 4 scene 1

     If thou dost break her virgin knot before

     All sanctimonious ceremonies may

     With full and holy rite be minister'd,

     No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall

     To make this contract grow; but barren hate […]

• calumny
• slander
• See also Thesaurus:slander

• cast aspersions

• repassion

aspersion f (plural aspersions)

1. aspersion
2. sprinkling