- libel - a tort consisting of false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
--1 is a kind of defamation, calumny, obloquy, traducement, hatchet job; tort, civil wrong
Derived form: verb libel1 - libel - the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defammation) and any relief he seeks
--2 is a kind of complaint