Definition of libel
Etymology
From Old French libelle, from Latin libellus (“petition”).
Pronunciation
Noun
libel (plural libels)
- A written (notably as handbill) or pictorial statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.
- (uncountable) The act or crime of displaying such a statement publicly.
Synonyms
Verb
libel (third-person singular simple present libels, present participle British English libelling or American English libeling, simple past and past participle British English libelled or American English libeled)
- (transitive) To defame someone, especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.
He libelled her when he published that.
Synonyms
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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