li·bel

(lī′bəl)

a. The legally indefensible publication or broadcast of words or images that are degrading to a person or injurious to his or her reputation.

b. An incidence of such publication or broadcast.

2. The written claims initiating a suit in an admiralty court.

tr.v. li·beled, li·bel·ing, li·bels or li·belled or li·bel·ling

To publish or broadcast a libel about (a person). See Synonyms at malign.

[Middle English, litigant's written complaint, from Old French, from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber, book.]

li′bel·er, li′bel·ist n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

libelling

(ˈlaɪbəlɪŋ)

(Law) law an act of making or publishing defamatory statements or representations about a person or people

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

If you knew how this chap, this Joseph Willet--that's his name--comes backwards and forwards to our house, libelling, and denouncing, and threatening you, and how I shudder when I hear him, you'd hate him worse than I do,-- worse than I do, sir,' said Mr Tappertit wildly, putting his hair up straighter, and making a crunching noise with his teeth; 'if sich a thing is possible.'

View in context

Amaral, who denied libelling the couple, must also pay PS76,000 interest.

Cash from cop lies will help Maddie hunt; Parents thrilled by libel ruling

One of the environmental campaigners found guilty of libelling fast-food giant McDonald's took another swipe at the company today.

McLibel Two await verdict

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.