backbiting

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Verb 1.2 Noun 1.3 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Verb

backbiting

1. Present participle of backbite.

[edit] Noun

backbiting (plural backbitings)

1. The action of slandering a person without that person's knowledge.
   • 1303, Robert Manning of Brune, Handlyng synne

     No custummable bakbytyng God....

   • 1862, Anthony Trollope, Orley Farm

     Not given to backbiting.

[edit] Adjective

backbiting (comparative more backbiting, superlative most backbiting)

1. A person who slanders or speaks badly of a person without that person's knowledge.
   • 1580, Thomas Tusser, A hundreth good pointes of husbandrie

     Backbiting talk that flattering blabs know wily how to blenge.

   • 1873, Rhoda Broughton, Nancy

     Am I to have a backbiting wife?