libel

noun

1. any false and malicious written or printed statement, or any sign, picture, or effigy, tending to expose a person to public ridicule, hatred, or contempt or to injure a person's reputation in any way
2. the act of publishing or displaying publicly such a thing
3. anything that gives an unflattering or damaging picture of the subject with which it is dealing
4. in ecclesiastical law and formerly in maritime law, a written statement containing the plaintiff's grievances; initial pleading

transitive verb libeled or libelled, libeling or libelling

1. to publish or make a libel against
2. to give an unflattering or damaging picture of
3. to bring suit against by presenting a libel ()