vilify

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The Word of the Day for April 16 is: 

vilify   \VIL-uh-fye\   verb
     1 : to lower in estimation or importance
    *2 : to utter slanderous and abusive statements against : defame

Example sentence: 
     Janet's angry letter chastised members of the media for attempting to 
vilify her brother, the disgraced ex-councilman.

Did you know?
     "Vilify" came to English by way of the Middle English "vilifien" and the 
Late Latin "vilificare" from the Latin adjective "vilis," meaning "cheap" or 
"vile." It first appeared in English in the 15th century. Also debuting during 
that time was another verb that derives from "vilis" and has a similar meaning: 
"vilipend." When they were first used in English, both "vilify" and "vilipend" 
meant to regard someone or something as being of little worth or importance. 
"Vilipend" now carries an additional meaning of "to express a low opinion of 
somebody," while "vilify" means, more specifically, to express such an opinion 
publicly in a way that intends to embarrass a person or ruin his or her 
reputation. 

*Indicates the sense illustrated by the example sentence.





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