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.
Phrases and idioms:
criminal libel Law a deliberate defamatory statement in a permanent form.
Derivatives:
libeller n.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L libellus dimin. of liber book