besmirch etymology

Etymology:

• From Middle English besmerren, from Old English be-smierwan ("to smear"), from Proto-West Germanic be-smirwijan, a derivative of smirwa ("fat").

Meaning:

• To sully or defile, especially by casting aspersions or making false accusations.
• To tarnish or damage one's reputation or character.

Origin:

The term "besmirch" originated in the 9th century from the Old English word "be-smierwan," which meant "to smear." It was used figuratively in the 15th century to describe the act of tarnishing someone's reputation or character through false accusations or slander.

The word "smirw" (fat) in its root is believed to have influenced the metaphorical sense of "besmirch" as "staining" or "dirtying" someone's reputation.

Over time, the term "besmirch" has evolved to include a broader sense of defiling or damaging anything, whether it is a person's character, a work of art, or any other object or idea.

besmirch relate terms

• smirch

  Etymology The word smirch comes from the Middle English word smirken which itself de

• mordant

  Etymology The word mordant derives from the Middle French word mordre meaning to b

• bylaw

  Etymology Bylaw is a compound word composed of two separate terms By In legal context

• bygones

  Etymology The word bygones is derived from two Old English words bygan past gān t

• bystander

  Etymology The word bystander derives from the Middle English term bystandere circa 1

• defame

  Etymology and Origin of Defame The word defame originates from the Latin word diffa

• slander

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

• smear

  Etymology The word smear comes from the Middle English word smere which means fat

• traduce

  etimología significado y origen

• educrat

  Etymology Educrat is a portmanteau of the words educate and bureaucrat Meaning A

• libel

  Etymology The word libel comes from the Latin word libellus which means little book

• accuse

  Etymology The word accuse comes from Old French acuser Medieval Latin accusare

• malign

  Etymology Late Middle English via Old French from Latin malignus from male bad harm

• charge

  Etymology The word charge comes from the Old French word carge which in turn derives

• sand

  Etymology The word sand comes from the Old English word sand which is thought to be