I. ˈlī-bəl noun
Etymology: Middle English, written declaration, from Anglo-French, from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber book
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a written statement in which a plaintiff in certain courts sets forth the cause of action or the relief sought
b. archaic : a handbill especially attacking or defaming someone
2.
a. : a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression
b.
(1) : a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt
(2) : defamation of a person by written or representational means
(3) : the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures
(4) : the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel
II. verb
( -beled or -belled ; -bel·ing or li·bel·ling -b(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 1588
intransitive verb
: to make libelous statements
transitive verb
: to make or publish a libel against
• li·bel·er -b(ə-)lər noun
• li·bel·ist -bə-list noun