Category:Vilify

Vil"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vilified; p. pr. & vb. n. Vilifying.] Etym: [l. vilis vile + -fly; cf. L. vilificare to esteem of little Value.]

1. To make vile; to debase; to degrade; to disgrace. [r.] When themselves they vilified to serve ungoverned appetite. Milton.

2. To degrade or debase by report; to defame; to traduce; to Calumniate. I. Taylor. Many passions dispose us to depress and vilify the merit of one Rising in the esteem of mankind. Addison.

3. To treat as vile; to despise. [obs.] I do vilify your censure. Beau. & fl.