noun.
The act of defaming; the wrong of injuring another's reputation without good reason or justification; aspersion.
noun.
[Formerly defamation was used more with reference to slander or spoken words. In modern use slander is spoken defamation and libel is published defamation. Both are subjects for civil action for damages. Libel alone is usually punishable criminally, the common test of criminality being that it tends to a breach of the peace.] Synonyms Detraction, aspersion, backbiting, scandal, libel.