Calumny
/ˈkæləmni/noun
A false and malicious statement intended to damage someone’s reputation.
Did you know?In Roman law, knowingly making a false accusation could be prosecuted as calumnia, and tradition associates convicted false accusers with a forehead brand marked K for kalumnia.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Italic period
Proto-Italic
*kalw-
“A proposed root connected with deception or trickery; the deeper origin is uncertain.”
Ancient Rome
Latin
calumnia
“Trickery, deception, or a false accusation.”
Ancient Rome
Latin
calumniari
“To accuse falsely or bring a malicious legal charge.”
13th Century
Old French
calumnie
“Slander or false accusation.”
14th Century
English
calumny
“A false or defamatory charge.”
Modern English
English
calumny
“A maliciously false statement intended to harm a person’s reputation.”
Explore more surprising origins