backbite

== English == === Alternative forms === back-bite === Etymology === From Middle English bakbiten, bacbiten, equivalent to back- +‎ bite. Cognate with Icelandic bakbíta (“to backbite, vilify”). === Verb === backbite (third-person singular simple present backbites, present participle backbiting, simple past backbit, past participle backbitten) To make spiteful slanderous or defamatory statements about someone. Synonyms: denigrate, libel, slander; see also Thesaurus:defame (informal) To attack from behind or when out of earshot with spiteful or defamatory remarks. To speak badly of an absent individual. ==== Derived terms ==== backbiter backbiting ==== Related terms ==== behind someone's back ==== Translations ==== === Noun === backbite (plural backbites) One who engages in backbiting; a backbiter. === Anagrams === bite back