>False statement maliciously made to injure another’s reputation
>The act of uttering false charges or misrepresentations maliciously calculated to harm another’s reputation
>Slander (Synonym)
It is derived from the Latin word calumnia (meaning false accusation, false claim or trickery) which itself traces to the Latin verb calvi meaning to deceive.
Example
He could endure his financial failure, but he could not bear the calumny that his foes heaped upon him.
He was the target of calumny for his unpopular beliefs.
Calumny is answered best with silence