What (who) is libel - definition

CRIME OR TORT OF HARMING THE REPUTATION OF A LEGAL PERSON THROUGH FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENT

Libel and slander; Slander; Calumny; Defamation of character; Defame; Slanderous; Defamatory; Absolute privilege; Libel; Defaming; Libel per se; Trade libel; Conspiracy to libel; Political libel; Libelous; Slander and libel; Libeler; Libeller; German defamation law; Defamation law in the United Kingdom; Defames; Defamed; Slanders; Slandered; Slandering; Libels; Vilification; Vilify; Defamations; Libellous; Slanderer; Slanderers; Slander & libel; Besmirch; Calumniator; Calumniators; Defamation per se; Libel law; Defamation law in Scotland; Famacide; Famosus libelus; Famosus; Traducement; Libel suit; Character defamation; Libel per Quod; Criminal defamation; Anti-defamation; Rex v. Orme and Nutt (1700); King v. Osborne (1732); Defamation lawsuit; Group defamation; Defamation laws; Calumnies; Traduce; Chinese defamation law; Indian defamation law; Defamation in Scots law; Veritas (Scots law); Defamation in Scotland; Libel laws; Libel lawsuit

libel

(libels, libelling, libelled)

Note: in AM, use 'libeling', 'libeled'

Libel is a written statement which wrongly accuses someone of something, and which is therefore against the law. Compare slander
. (LEGAL)

Warren sued him for libel over the remarks...

...a libel action against the paper.

N-VAR

To libel someone means to write or print something in a book, newspaper, or magazine which wrongly damages that person's reputation and is therefore against the law. (LEGAL)

The newspaper which libelled him had already offered compensation.

VERB: V n

libel

1) to commit libel

2) (a) libel against

Libel

·noun Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.

II. Libel ·noun The crime of issuing a malicious defamatory publication.

III. Libel ·vi To spread defamation, written or printed;

- with against.

IV. Libel ·vt To proceed against by filing a libel, particularly against a ship or goods.

V. Libel ·noun A brief writing of any kind, ·esp. a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, ·etc.

VI. Libel ·noun A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks.

VII. Libel ·vt To defame, or expose to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule, by a writing, picture, sign, ·etc.; to Lampoon.

VIII. Libel ·noun 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.

Wikipedia

Defamation

Defamation is the act of communicating to a third party false statements about a person, place, or thing that results in damage to its reputation. It can be spoken (slander) or written (libel). It constitutes a tort or a crime. The legal definition of defamation and related acts as well as the ways they are dealt with can vary greatly between countries and jurisdictions (what exactly they must consist of, whether they constitute crimes or not, and to what extent proving the alleged facts is a valid defence).

Defamation laws can encompass a variety of acts:

Insult against a legal person in general
Defamation against a legal person in general
Acts against public officials
Acts against state institutions (e.g., government, ministries, government agencies, armed forces)
Acts against state symbols
Acts against the state itself
Acts against religions (e.g., blasphemy, discrimination)
Acts against the judiciary or legislature (e.g., contempt of court, censure)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation

Pronunciation examples for libel

1. to sue for libel.

The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets _ Simon Singh _ Talks at Google

2. sued for libel.

The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets _ Simon Singh _ Talks at Google

3. suing for libel?

Friend of the Court - On the Front Lines with the First Amendment _ Floyd Abrams _ Talks at Google

4. the KKK libel.

Fall; or, Dodge in Hell - A Novel _ Neal Stephenson _ Talks at Google

5. libel area, for example.

Friend of the Court - On the Front Lines with the First Amendment _ Floyd Abrams _ Talks at Google

Examples of use of libel

1. FAQ: Internet libel Should internet service providers be worried about libel?

2. We are drowning in a wave of libel tourism, and unlike health tourists, libel tourists are rich folk.

3. Pennsylvania state courts dismissed the libel claims.

4. MGN Limited, which denies libel, pleads justification.

5. I was only ever interested in proving that the allegations were untrue." FAQ Law of libel What is the usual rule in libel cases?