aspersion etymology

Etymology:

• Latin: "aspersio," from "aspergere," meaning "to sprinkle" or "to scatter"
• Proto-Indo-European: "sker-," meaning "to cut, shear, scatter"

Meaning:

• A derogatory remark or criticism, often made indirectly or subtly
• The act of sprinkling or scattering something
• Holy water or blessed water sprinkled during religious ceremonies
• A sprinkler or spray device used for watering or sprinkling

Origin:

The word "aspersion" entered English in the 14th century. Its original meaning of "sprinkling" or "scattering" was used in both secular and religious contexts. By the 16th century, the word had acquired its secondary meaning of "a derogatory remark or criticism." This usage arose from the idea of "sprinkling" someone with negative words or gossip.

The phrase "cast aspersions" is commonly used to describe the act of making defamatory or discrediting remarks about someone. The term "aspersion" is often associated with the idea of unfair or unjust criticism, as it suggests that words are being "sprinkled" without regard for their truth or accuracy.

aspersion relate terms

• sparse

  Etymology Late Latin sparsus scattered dispersed source of French épars Spanish e

• asperse

  Etymology The word asperse originates from the Latin verb aspergere meaning to spr

• aspersion

  Etymology Latin aspersio from aspergere meaning to sprinkle or to scatter Pr

• aggression

  Etymology of Aggression The term aggression derives from the Latin word aggressio w

• accursed

  Etymology The word accursed comes from the Late Latin word accursus which means to ru

• afford

  Etymology and Origin Origin Middle English c 1300 provide for Etymology From Old

• adjourn

  Etymology The word adjourn is derived from the Latin word adiornare meaning to post

• advance

  Etymology The word advance comes from the Old French word avancer which originally m

• address

  Etymology The word address derives from the Old French word adrecier which in turn

• advertisement

  Etymology French avertissement Late Latin advertentia attention warning Meaning

• slur

  Etymology The word slur has multiple etymological origins Old English slurrian

• calumny

  Etymology Middle English calumnie from Old French calumnie from Latin calumnia from

• slander

  Etymology The word slander is derived from the Old French term esclandre which means

• choke

  Etymology The word choke has a complex etymological history originating from multiple

• derogation

  Etymology From Middle English derogacion from Latin dērogātiō from dērogāre to

• disparagement

  Etymology Dis prefix denoting negative or reverse action paragement noun from Ol

• attack

  Etymology Middle English ataken from Old French atachier probably from Old High Germ

• defamation

  Etymology From Late Latin diffamare a compound of dis apart and fama reputation

• baptism

  Etymology From Old English bæþsm or beþesm which in turn comes from Late Latin

• denigration

  Etymology The word denigration derives from the Latin word denigrare meaning to ma