Aspersions
Aspersions 通常以复数形式出现。它不是直接的辱骂，而往往是通过暗示或指责来破坏某人的信誉。
- I don’t want to cast aspersions on his integrity, but his story doesn’t add up. (我不想诋毁他的诚信，但他的话前后不一致。)
- The politician complained about the aspersions cast on his character during the campaign. (这位政客抱怨竞选期间对他性格的种种中伤。)
- She felt the aspersions were unfair and baseless. (她觉得这些中伤既不公平又毫无根据。)
- 词根：
-spers-(散布，如 disperse, sparse) - 前缀：
a-(ad- 的变体，表示 to) - 含义：向某人散布（坏话）。
联想 disperse (分散)。Aspersions 就是把坏名声“散布”开来。或者记：A-sper-sions (阿司匹林音近)，想象你被诽谤后气得要吃阿司匹林。
Rather than debating the policy, the opponent chose to cast aspersions on the minister’s private life. (对手没有辩论政策，而是选择对部长的私生活进行人身攻击。)