To speak evil

To speak disparagingly. To utter slanderous words (סָרָה means a false word).

("And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken evil (דִּבֵּר סָרָה) against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt" - Deuteronomy 13:6 (laws concerning a false prophet), likewise: "How shall the simple ones reproach me? Or by what shall they speak evil (דַּבֵּר סָרָה)?" - Immanuel ha-Romi (13th century)/ The Heritage, and likewise: "And the sons of iniquity shall no more speak evil (לְדַבֵּר בָּנוּ סָרָה) against us, for he will contend with our adversaries, and fill their mouths with spittle" - Abraham Mapu/ Ayit Tzavuah, 11, and likewise: "Once, on the night of Sukkot, he sat with his son in his sukkah and spoke evil (דִּבֵּר סָרָה) against the Baal Shem Tov" - S.Y. Agnon/ Stories of the Baal Shem Tov, a miracle within a miracle)

Translation