verb (used with object), tra·duced, tra·duc·ing.
- to speak maliciously and falsely of; slander; defame: to traduce someone’s character.
verb
- (tr) to speak badly of
1530s, “to alter, change over, transport,” from Latin traducere “change over, convert,” originally “lead along or across, transfer,” from trans- “across” (see trans-) + ducere “to lead” (see duke (n.)). Sense of “defame, slander” (1580s) is from Latin traducere in the sense of “to scorn or disgrace,” probably from the notion of “to lead along as a spectacle.” Related: Traduced; traducing.