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. criminal libel Law a deliberate defamatory statement in a permanent form. libeller n.
[ ME f. OF f. L libellus dimin. of liber book ]