Libel Definition
lībəl
libeled, libeling, libelled, libelling, libels
noun
Any false and malicious written or printed statement, or any sign, picture, or effigy, tending to expose a person to public ridicule, hatred, or contempt or to injure a person's reputation.
Webster's New World
An incidence of such publication or broadcast.
American Heritage
Act of publishing or displaying publicly such a thing.
Webster's New World
The written claims initiating a suit in an admiralty court.
American Heritage
Anything that gives an unflattering or damaging picture of the subject with which it is dealing.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
To publish or make a libel against.
Webster's New World
To give an unflattering or damaging picture of.
Webster's New World
To bring suit against by presenting a libel.
Webster's New World
(law) To proceed against (a ship, goods, etc.) by filing a libel.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- tell truth
Origin of Libel
Middle English litigant's written complaint from Old French from Latin libellus diminutive of liber book
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Old French libelle, from Latin libellus (“petition").
From Wiktionary
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