Libel, 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)
To proceed against by filing a libel, particularly against a ship or goods.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Libel, n.
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)
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)
The crime of issuing a malicious defamatory publication.
5. (Civil Law & Courts of Admiralty)
A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks.
Libel, v. i.
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for libel; he lists it under slander.
Where he writes about it:
To slander a person is to utter a false and injurious report concerning him; to defame is specifically and directly to attack one's reputation; to defame by spoken words is to slander, by written words, to libel. — from slander
To libel or slander is to make an assault upon character and repute that comes within the scope of law; the slander is uttered, the libel written, printed, or pictured. — from slander