From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlibelli‧bel1 /ˈlaɪbəl/ ●○○ noun [countable, uncountable] SCCwhen someone writes or prints untrue statements about someone so that other people could have a bad opinion of them → slanderfor libel Holt sued the newspaper for libel.a libel action/case/trial (=a court case against someone for libel) restrictions on press freedom, such as libel laws
Examples from the Corpus
libel• a libel suit• Holt sued the newspaper for libel.• He was vindicated when he successfully sued the tabloid that broke the story for libel.• That's where the libel comes in.sued ... for libel• Pitka claimed that these words were false and defamatory and sued the newspaper for libel.• She had sued him for libel.• Moreover, none of the allegedly violent police interrogators named in both books have sued for libel.libellibel2 verb (libelled, libelling British English, libeled, libeling American English) [transitive] SCCto write or print a libel against someone → slander→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
libel• Kandell contends he was libeled by the Journal.• Those who were libelled in the Fanzine may feel less aggrieved knowing it was for a good cause.• He did not look like anyone she had libelled lately.• It libelled the plaintiff who issued a writ against the editor.Origin libel1 (1300-1400) Old French Latin libellus, from liber; → LIBRARY 