Main Entry:: ¹li·bel
Pronunciation:: \ˈlī-bəl\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, written declaration, from Anglo-French, from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber book
Date:: 14th century

1 a: a written statement in which a plaintiff in certain courts sets forth the cause of action or the relief sought barchaic : a handbill especially attacking or defaming someone2 a: a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression b (1): a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt (2): defamation of a person by written or representational means (3): the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures (4): the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel

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