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.
© Webster 1913.