Webster's English Dictionary

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libel

1. li.bel \'li--b*l\ n [ME, written declaration, fr. MF, fr. L libellus, 
   dim. of liber boo]k - more at LEAF archaic  1: a handbill esp. attacking or 
   defaming someone  2a: a written or oral defamatory statement or 
   representation that conveys a n unjustly unfavorable impression 2b1: a 
   statement or representation published without just cause and tending  to 
   expose another to public contempt 2b2: defamation of a person by written or 
   representational means  2b3: the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, 
   seditious, or obscene wri tings or pictures 2b4: the act, tort, or crime of 
   publishing such a libel 
2. libel \-b(*-)lin\ \-b(*-)l*r\ \-b*-l*st\ vb or li.beled or li.belled;  
   or li.bel.ing;  or li.bel.ling : to make libelous statements  : to make or 
   publish a libel against  - li.bel.er n