dif-fāmo, āvi, ātum, 1, v. a. [fama], to spread abroad by an ill report; to publish, divulge.
I Prop. (rare and not anteAug.): vulgat adulterium diffamatumque parenti Indicat, Ov. M. 4, 236; cf. prava, Tac. A. 14, 22: nomen pessimum super virginem, Vulg. Deut. 22, 19.—
B To decry, defame, malign : viros feminasque procacibus scriptis, Tac. A. 1, 72; cf.: aliquem probroso carmine, id. ib. 15, 49: aliquem probris, Ap. M. 1, p. 107; Vulg. Matt. 9, 31.— With acc. and inf.: diffamat, incendio repentino domum suam possideri, Ap. M. 4, p. 147.—
II To declare, make known, proclaim widely (late Lat.): Deus diffamatur, Aug. de Morib. Eccl. 14: sermonem, Vulg. Marc. 1, 45.