backbite

The definition of backbite is to say mean or slanderous things about someone else.

(verb)

An example of backbite is for a political candidate to say harmful things about the character of his opponents.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See backbite in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb backbit , backbitten or backbit, backbiting

to speak maliciously about (an absent person); slander

Origin: ME bakbiten: see back & bite

Related Forms:

See backbite in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb back·bit (-bĭtˌ), back·bit·ten (-bĭtˌn), back·bit·ing, back·bites
verb, transitive
To speak spitefully or slanderously about (another).
verb, intransitive
To speak spitefully or slanderously about a person.

Related Forms:

  • backˈbitˌer noun

Learn more about backbite

link/cite print suggestion box