traduce

/trə-ˈdüs/

Latin traducere to lead across, transfer, degrade, from tra-, trans- trans- + ducere to lead

verb

  1. to expose to shame or blame by means of falsehood and misrepresentation

  2. violate, betray

malign traduce asperse vilify calumniate defame slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.