Link Centre Dictionary

libel

li·bel

UK/ˈlaɪbəl/ US/ˈlaɪbʌl/ uncommon
noun (2) verb (1)

noun

1.

a tort consisting of false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person

2.

the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defammation) and any relief he seeks

verb

1.

print slanderous statements against

  • “The newspaper was accused of libeling him”

Origin

From Middle English libel, from Old French libelle, from Latin libellus (“petition”, literally “booklet”). Doublet of libelle.

Phrases

  • libel chill
  • libel tourism

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.