Backbite

Alternative forms

• back-bite

Origin

From Middle English bakbiten, bacbiten, equivalent to back + bite. Cognate with Icelandic bakbíta ("to backbite, vilify").

Full definition of backbite

Verb

1. To make spiteful slanderous or defamatory statements about someone.
2. (informal) To attack from behind or when out of earshot with spiteful or defamatory remarks.
3. To speak badly of an absent individual.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• backbiter
• backbiting

Noun

1. One who engages in backbiting; a backbiter.