■ noun
1》 Law the publication of a false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation. Compare with slander .
↘such a statement; a written defamation.
2》 (in admiralty and ecclesiastical law) a plaintiff's written declaration.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ling , ~led ; US ~s , ~ing , ~ed )
1》 Law defame by publishing a ~.
2》 (in admiralty and ecclesiastical law) bring a suit against.
Derivatives
~ler noun
Origin
ME (in the general sense 'a document, a written statement'): via OFr. from L. ~lus , dimin. of liber 'book'.