Li"bel (lī"b&ebreve;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.
&fist; 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.
Li"bel, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Libeled (-b&ebreve;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.
Li"bel (lī"b&ebreve;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.
