First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1libel
noun li·bel \ˈlī-bəl\
: the act of publishing a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone
Full Definition of LIBEL
1
a : a written statement in which a plaintiff in certain courts sets forth the cause of action or the relief sought b archaic : a handbill especially attacking or defaming someone
2
a : a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression b (1) : a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt (2) : defamation of a person by written or representational means (3) : the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures (4) : the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel
See libel defined for English-language learners
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Examples of LIBEL
- To meet the Supreme Court's definition of libel involving a public figure, a quotation must not only be made up or materially altered. It must also defame the person quoted, and damage his or her reputation or livelihood … —Jane Gross, New York Times, 5 June 1993
- It is relevant to note that in 1987 the suit against Ms. Malcolm was dismissed … in a narrow ruling that stated that even if the quotations were “false and mischievous,” Ms. Malcolm's alterations did not represent malicious intent and therefore did not constitute libel. —Fred W. Friendly, New York Times Book Review, 25 Feb. 1990
- The above is not only a flat lie but a political libel which may possibly damage me. Publish it at your peril … —Bernard Shaw, letter, 16 Sep. 1949
- In their tiresome addiction to this use of alleged, the newspapers, though having mainly in mind the danger of libel suits, can urge in further justification the lack of any other single word that exactly expresses their meaning; but the fact that a mud-puddle supplies the shortest route is not a compelling reason for walking through it. —Ambrose Bierce, Write It Right, 1909
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Origin of LIBEL
Middle English, written declaration, from Anglo-French, from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber book
Related to LIBEL
- Synonyms
- aspersing, blackening, calumniation, calumny, character assassination, defamation, defaming, slander, libeling (or libelling), maligning, smearing, traducing, vilification, vilifying
Other Legal Terms
2libel
verb li·bel \ˈlī-bəl\
: to write and publish a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of (someone)
li·beled or li·belledli·bel·ing or li·bel·ling \-b(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of LIBEL
intransitive verb
: to make libelous statements
transitive verb
: to make or publish a libel against (see 1libel)
— li·bel·er \-b(ə-)lər\ noun
— li·bel·ist \-bə-list\ noun
See libel defined for English-language learners
Examples of LIBEL
- And in Oklahoma last year, lawyers filed a class-action suit against a group supporting tort reform, saying they had libeled trial lawyers. —Judith Miller, New York Times, 11 June 1996
- Government officials, he observed, were public servants who remained accountable to the people and therefore could not be libeled for their performance in office. —Leonard W. Levy, Emergence of a Free Press, 1985
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Origin of LIBEL
(see 1libel)
First Known Use: 1588
Related to LIBEL
Other Legal Terms
LIBEL Defined for Kids
1libel
noun li·bel \ˈlī-bəl\
Definition of LIBEL for Kids
: the publication of a false statement that hurts a person's reputation
2libel
verb
li·beled or li·belledli·bel·ing or li·bel·ling
Definition of LIBEL for Kids
: to hurt a person's reputation by publishing a false statement
— li·bel·er or li·bel·ler noun
Learn More About LIBEL
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