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1. (law) a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
    
2. (law) the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief he seeks

1. Print slanderous statements against
   "The newspaper was accused of libeling him"

Derived forms: libels, libelling, libelled, libeled, libeling

Type of: asperse, besmirch, calumniate [formal], calumniation, calumny, complaint, defamation, defame, denigrate, hatchet job, obloquy, slander, smear, smirch, sully, traducement

Encyclopedia: Libel