Libel

n. [Fr. libelle, Pr. libel, It. & Pg. libello, Sp. libelo, from Lat. libellus, a little book, pamphlet, diminutive of liber, the inner bark or rind of a tree, and because the ancients wrote on this rind, a writing consisting of several leaves, a book. The word derived its bad sense from the Latin phrase libellus famosus, a defamatory book or pamphlet, with which, the epithet being omitted, it came to be identical in signification, being generally understood to imply defamation.]

1Sense 1. A writing of any kind, as a declaration, bill, certificate, request, or supplication, and the like. [Obs.] “A libel of forsaking [i. e., a writing of divorcement].” Wycliffe.

2Sense 2. (Law.) A defamatory writing; a published defamation; a malicious publication expressed either in print or in writing, or by pictures, effigies, or other signs, tending either to injure the memory of one dead, or the reputation of one alive, and expose him to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule; a lampoon; a satire. Wharton. Kent. New. Am. Cyc.

☞ The term also, in a more extensive sense, includes such writings, pictures, and the like, as are of a blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or immoral kind. Wharton.

3Sense 3. (Civil Law and Courts of Admiralty.) A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks.

4Sense 4. The crime of publishing a defamatory writing.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. LIBELED, or LIBELLED; p. pr. & vb. n. LIBELING, or LIBELLING.] 1. To defame, or expose to public hatred and contempt by a writing, picture, sign, and the like; to lampoon. Some wicked wits have libeled all the fair. Pope. 2. (Law.) To proceed against by filing a libel, particularly against a ship or goods.