Traduce \Tra*duce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Traduced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Traducing}.] [L. traducere, traductum, to lead across, lead along, exhibit as a spectacle, disgrace, transfer, derive; trans across, over + ducere to lead: cf. F. traduire to transfer, translate, arraign, fr. L. traducere. See {Duke}.] 1. To transfer; to transmit; to hand down; as, to traduce mental qualities to one's descendants. [Obs.] --Glanvill. 2. To translate from one language to another; as, to traduce and compose works. [Obs.] --Golden Boke. 3. To increase or distribute by propagation. [Obs.] From these only the race of perfect animals were propagated and traduced over the earth. --Sir M. Hale. 4. To draw away; to seduce. [Obs.] I can forget the weakness Of the traduced soldiers. --Beau. & Fl. 5. To represent; to exhibit; to display; to expose; to make an example of. [Obs.] --Bacon. 6. To expose to contempt or shame; to represent as blamable; to calumniate; to vilify; to defame. The best stratagem that Satan hath . . . is by traducing the form and manner of them [prayers], to bring them into contempt. --Hooker. He had the baseness . . . to traduce me in libel. --Dryden. Syn: To calumniate; vilify; defame; disparage; detract; depreciate; decry; slander. web1913
traduce v : speak unfavorably about; "She badmouthes her husband everywhere" [syn: {badmouth}, {malign}, {drag through the mud}] wn