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Webster 1913 Edition

Libel

Li′bel

(lī′bĕl)
,
Noun.
[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.
☞ 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

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Libeled
(-bĕld)
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′bĕl)
,
Verb.
I.
To spread defamation, written or printed; – with
against
.
[Obs.]
What’s this but
libeling
against the senate?
Shakespeare
[He]
libels
now 'gainst each great man.
Donne.

Webster 1828 Edition

Libel

LI'BEL

,
Noun.
[L. libellus, a little book, from liber, a book, from the sense of bark, and this from stripping separating. Hence liber, a book, and liber, free, are the same word.]
1.
A defamatory writing, L. libellus, famosus. Hence, the epithet being omitted, libel expresses the same thing. Any book, pamphlet, writing or picture, containing representations, maliciously made or published, tending to bring a person into contempt, or expose him to public hatred and derision. The communication of such defamatory writing to a single person, is considered in law a publication. It is immaterial with respect to the essence of a libel, whether the matter of it is true or false, since the provocation and not the falsity is the thing to be punished criminally. But in a civil action, a libel must appear to be false, as well as scandalous.
In a more extensive sense, any blasphemous, treasonable or immoral writing or picture made public, is a libel, and punishable by law.
2.
In the civil law, and in courts of admiralty, a declaration or charge in writing exhibited in court, particularly against a ship or goods, for violating the laws of trade or of revenue.

LI'BEL

, v.t.
1.
To defame or expose to public hatred and contempt by a writing or picture; to lampoon.
Some wicked wits have libeled all the fair.
2.
To exhibit a charge against any thing in court, particularly against a ship or goods, for a violation of the laws of trade or revenue.

LI'BEL

,
Verb.
I.
To spread defamation, written or printed; with against. He libels against the peers of the realm. [Not now in use.]

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