Slanderous attacks from curmudgeon (3)
I believe the answer is:
mud
'slanderous attacks from curmudgeon' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'from curmudgeon' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates a hidden word.
'MUD' can be found hidden inside 'curmudgeon'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mud that I've seen before include "Soft wet earth" , "Mire" , "soft soil" , "in your eye, it's an affable toast" , "Liquid earth" .)