English

Noun

backbiting ‎(plural backbitings)

1. The action of slandering a person without that person's knowledge.
   • 1303, Robert Manning of Brune, Handlyng synne

     No custummable bakbytyng God....

   • 1862, Anthony Trollope, Orley Farm

     Not given to backbiting.

Translations

Etymology 2

From backbite.

Adjective

backbiting ‎(comparative more backbiting, superlative most backbiting)

1. Slandering or speaking badly of a person without that person's knowledge.
   • 1580, Thomas Tusser, A hundreth good pointes of husbandrie

     Backbiting talk that flattering blabs know wily how to blenge.

   • 1873, Rhoda Broughton, Nancy

     Am I to have a backbiting wife?

Verb

backbiting

1. present participle of backbite