Slander (noun)

1. The act of making false and damaging statements about someone.
2. The false and damaging statements themselves.

Origin:

Middle english, from old english sclandrian "to defame", from latin calumnia "trickery, deceit".

Examples:

1. He was charged with slander for spreading false rumors about the company.
2. She felt that the article in the newspaper was an act of slander against her.
3. He was found guilty of slander and had to pay damages to the person he slandered.
4. The accusations of embezzlement were just a slander.
5. She was sued for slander after making false statements about her former employer.