1. (n.) A sprinkling, as with water or dust, in a literal sense.

2. (n.) The spreading of calumniations reports or charges which tarnish reputation, like the bespattering of a body with foul water; calumny.

abuse adverse criticism affront affusion agape allegation animadversion aspergation asperges atrocity auricular confession backbiting bad notices bad press baptism baptismal gown baptismal regeneration baptistery baptizement bar mitzvah bas mitzvah brickbat calumny captiousness carping cavil caviling celebration censoriousness chrismal christening circumcision confession confirmation contempt contumely criticism cut defamation despite detraction disparagement dump enormity exception faultfinding flak flout flouting font gibe hairsplitting high celebration hit home thrust hostile criticism humiliation hypercriticalness hypercriticism immersion imputation incense indignity infusion injury innuendo insinuation insult invective invocation invocation of saints jeer jeering kiss of peace knock lampoon lesser litany libel litany love feast lustration mock mockery muck nagging niggle niggling nit nit-picking obloquy offense outrage overcriticalness pasquinade pax personal remark personality pestering pettifogging priggishness processional put-down quibble quibbling rap reciting the rosary reflection reproachfulness scandal scoff scurrility skit slam slander slur sly suggestion sprinkling squib stricture suggestion swipe taking exception taunt telling of beads the confessional the confessionary total immersion trichoschistism uncomplimentary remark vituperation whispering campaign