LIBELLED

LIBEL

libel

(verb) print slanderous statements against; “The newspaper was accused of libeling him”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Verb

libelled

(British) simple past tense and past participle of libel

Source: Wiktionary


LIBEL

Li"bel, n. Etym: [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)

Definition: 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)

Definition: The crime of issuing a malicious defamatory publication.

5. (Civil Law & Courts of Admiralty)

Definition: 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. Liebeled 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)

Definition: To proceed against by filing a libel, particularly against a ship or goods.

Li"bel, v. i.

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

22 February 2025

ANALYSIS

(noun) the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., ‘the father of the bride’ instead of ‘the bride’s father’


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Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

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