Learning / English Dictionary

LIBEL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected forms: libelled    , libelling   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief he seeks

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("libel" is a kind of...):

complaint ((civil law) the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim for relief is based)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("libel" is a kind of...):

calumniation; calumny; defamation; hatchet job; obloquy; traducement (a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions)

Domain category:

civil wrong; tort ((law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought)

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Derivation:

libel (print slanderous statements against)

libellous; libelous ((used of statements) harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Print slanderous statements against

Example:

The newspaper was accused of libeling him

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "libel" is one way to...):

asperse; besmirch; calumniate; defame; denigrate; slander; smear; smirch; sully (charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

libel (a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person)

libeler (one who attacks the reputation of another by slander or libel)

Credits