Thesaurus: libel

Related headwords

Definitions

1. n. A brief writing of any kind, esp. a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc.
2. n. Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.
3. n. 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.
4. n. The crime of issuing a malicious defamatory publication.
5. n. A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks.
6. v. t. To defame, or expose to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule, by a writing, picture, sign, etc.; to lampoon.
7. v. t. To proceed against by filing a libel, particularly against a ship or goods.
8. v. i. To spread defamation, written or printed; -- with against.
9. n. a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
10. n. the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief they seek
11. v. print slanderous statements against
12. 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. 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. 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.