asperse

(ə spʉrs)

transitive verb aspersed, aspersing

  1. Rare to sprinkle water on, as in baptizing
  2. to spread false or damaging charges against; slander

Origin: < L aspersus, pp. of aspergere, to sprinkle on < ad-, to + spargere, to sprinkle, strew: see spark

See asperse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb as·persed, as·pers·ing, as·pers·es
  1. To spread false or damaging charges or insinuations against. See Synonyms at malign.
  2. To sprinkle, especially with holy water.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, to besprinkle

Origin: , from Latin aspergere, aspers-

Origin: : ad-, ad-

Origin: + spargere, to strew

.

Related Forms:

  • as·perˈsive (-sĭv, -zĭv) adjective

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