DISPARAGEMENT
disparagement (di-spair-ij-m<<schwa>>nt), n. 1. A derogatory comparison of one thing with
another <the disparagement consisted in comparing the acknowledged liar to a murderer>.2. The
act or an instance of castigating or detracting from the reputation of, esp. unfairly or untruthfully
<when she told the press the details of her husband’s philandering, her statements amounted to
disparagement>.3. A false and injurious statement that discredits or detracts from the reputation of
another’s property, product, or business. • To recover in tort for disparagement, the plaintiff must
prove that the statement caused a third party to take some action resulting in specific pecuniary
loss to the plaintiff. — Also termed injurious falsehood. — More narrowly termed slander of title;
trade libel; slander of goods. See TRADE DISPARAGEMENT . Cf. commercial defamation under
DEFAMATION. [Cases: Libel and Slander 130, 133. C.J.S. Libel and Slander; Injurious
Falsehood §§ 204–206, 209.] 4. Reproach, disgrace, or indignity <self-importance is a
disparagement of greatness>.5.Hist. The act or an instance of pairing an heir in marriage with
someone of an inferior social rank <the guardian’s arranging for the heir’s marriage to a chimney
sweep amounted to disparagement>. — disparage,vb. [Blacks Law 8th]