1. (n.) A defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire\.

2. (n.) A brief writing of any kind, esp. a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc.

3. (n.) 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.

4. (n.) The crime of issuing a malicious defamatory publication.

5. (n.) A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks.

6. (v. t.) To defame, or expose to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule, by a writing, picture, sign, etc.; to lampoon.

7. (v. t.) To proceed against by filing a libel, particularly against a ship or goods.

8. (v. i.) To spread defamation, written or printed; -- with against.

affidavit allegation asperse aspersion backbite backbiting bad-mouth barefaced lie belittle belittlement besmirch bill bill of complaint bitchiness blacken blot burlesque calumniate calumniation calumny caricature cattiness claim complaint consummate lie declaration defamation defame denigrate denigration denounce denunciation deposition deprecate deprecation depreciate depreciation derogate derogation discredit disgrace dishonor disparage disparagement falsehood humiliate humiliation ill repute innuendo insinuate insinuation lie malign misrepresent misrepresentation monstrous lie mortification mortify narratio nolle prosequi nonsuit obloquy out-and-out lie prevarication scandal scandalize shame slander slur smear smirch stain statement statement of facts stigma stigmatize tear down the big lie traduce traducement travesty untruth vilification vilify whopper