/luy"beuhl/ , n. , v. , libeled, libeling or ( esp. Brit. ) libelled, libelling .
n.
1. Law.
a. defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.
b. the act or crime of publishing it.
c. a formal written declaration or statement, as one containing the allegations of a plaintiff or the grounds of a charge.
2. anything that is defamatory or that maliciously or damagingly misrepresents.
v.t.
3. to publish a libel against.
4. to misrepresent damagingly.
5. to institute suit against by a libel, as in an admiralty court.
[ 1250-1300; ME: little book, formal document, esp. plaintiff's statement libellus, dim. of liber book; for formation, see CASTELLUM ]