KAL-um-nee
(noun) A false and damaging statement meant to harm someone’s reputation.
The candidate sued his rival for spreading calumny during the campaign.
Fun Fact
In ancient Rome, calumny was actually a punishable offense under the law. The word’s legal roots make it a favorite in political and journalistic commentary when false accusations fly.
REL-uh-gayt
(verb) To assign someone or something to a lower position, status, or role—often as a form of dismissal or reduction in importance.
After the scandal, the senator was relegated to a minor committee post.
Late Middle English: from Latin relegare, meaning “to send away,” from re- ‘again’ + legare ‘to send’.
Fun Fact
In sports leagues (especially in the UK), relegate has a specific and painful meaning: being bumped down to a lower division. But the word is also used in work, politics, and culture—when something is deemed less important or is subtly sidelined. You might relegate an annoying task to the bottom of your to-do list… or a brilliant idea could be wrongly relegated to “not now” status. It’s a powerful word for passive dismissal.
Today's Word Eudaemonia yoo-dee-MOH-nee-uh Definition (noun) A state of human...
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