ˈlaɪbəl n. & v. --n. 1
Law a a published
false statement damaging to a person's
reputation (cf. SLANDER). b
the act of publishing
this. 2 a a false
and defamatory
written statement. b (foll. by on) a
thing that brings
discredit by misrepresentation etc. (the
portrait is a libel on
him; the
book is a libel on
human nature). 3 a (in
civil and
ecclesiastical law) the plaintiff's written
declaration. b
Sc. Law a statement of the grounds of a
charge. 4 (in full
public libel) Law the
publication of a libel that
also involves the
criminal law. --v.tr. (libelled, libelling; US libeled, libeling) 1
defame by
libellous statements. 2
accuse falsely and maliciously. 3 Law
publish a libel
against. 4 (in ecclesiastical law)
bring a
suit against. øcriminal libel Law a
deliberate defamatory statement in a
permanent form. øølibeller n. [ME f. OF f. L libellus dimin. of
liber book]