backbiting

Definition

The action of slandering a person without that person's knowledge.

Etymology

From Middle English bakbitynge, bacbiting, bacbitung, equivalent to backbite + -ing.

Example Sentences

• "[…]ending his epistle by saying, "that his uncle having doubtless lent his ear to some old woman's tales and backbiting, he did not choose to place his property in the hands of a spendthrift,[…]"
• "She was not given to backbiting—though, when stirred by any motive near to her own belongings, she would say an illnatured word or two."