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libelmore about libel

libel

 

  4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Libel  \Li"bel\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Libeled}  (-b[e^]ld)  or 
  {Libelled};  p.  pr  &  vb  n.  {Libeling}  or  {Libelling}.] 
  1.  To  defame,  or  expose  to  public  hatred,  contempt,  or 
  ridicule,  by  a  writing,  picture,  sign,  etc.;  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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Libel  \Li"bel\  (l[imac]"b[e^]l),  n.  [L.  libellus  a  little  book, 
  pamphlet,  libel,  lampoon,  dim.  of  liber  the  liber  or  inner 
  bark  of  a  tree;  also  (because  the  ancients  wrote  on  this 
  bark),  paper,  parchment,  or  a  roll  of  any  material  used  to 
  write  upon  and  hence  a  book  or  treatise:  cf  F.  libelle.] 
  1.  A  brief  writing  of  any  kind  esp.  a  declaration,  bill, 
  certificate,  request,  supplication,  etc  [Obs.]  --Chaucer. 
 
  A  libel  of  forsaking  [divorcement].  --Wyclif 
  (Matt.  v.  31). 
 
  2.  Any  defamatory  writing;  a  lampoon;  a  satire. 
 
  3.  (Law)  A  malicious  publication  expressed  either  in  print  or 
  in  writing,  or  by  pictures,  effigies,  or  other  signs, 
  tending  to  expose  another  to  public  hatred,  contempt,  or 
  ridicule.  Such  publication  is  indictable  at  common  law. 
 
  Note:  The  term,  in  a  more  extended  sense  includes  the 
  publication  of  such  writings,  pictures,  and  the  like 
  as  are  of  a  blasphemous,  treasonable,  seditious,  or 
  obscene  character.  These  also  are  indictable  at  common 
  law. 
 
  4.  (Law)  The  crime  of  issuing  a  malicious  defamatory 
  publication. 
 
  5.  (Civil  Law  &  Courts  of  Admiralty)  A  written  declaration  or 
  statement  by  the  plaintiff  of  his  cause  of  action  and  of 
  the  relief  he  seeks. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Libel  \Li"bel\  (l[imac]"b[e^]l),  v.  i. 
  To  spread  defamation,  written  or  printed;  --  with  against. 
  [Obs.] 
 
  What's  this  but  libeling  against  the  senate?  --Shak. 
 
  [He]  libels  now  'gainst  each  great  man.  --Donne. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  libel 
  n  :  a  tort  consisting  of  false  and  malicious  publication  printed 
  for  the  purpose  of  defaming  a  living  person 
  v  :  make  slanderous  statements  against;  "The  paper  was  accused 
  of  libeling  him"




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