libel

t. & i. [LIBEL, 8.] A. Transitive: 1. Ord. Lang .: To publish a libel upon; to hold up to public contempt, derision, or hatred by the publication of any libelous writing, print, picture, .; to lampoon. "The despot of Leaden hall Street was libelled in prose and verse." - Macaulay: Hist. Eng., ch. xviii. 2. Law : To exhibit a charge against; as against a clergyman for unbecoming conduct, or against a ship for debt, . B. In trans.: To spread libels or defamatory publications or statements. "What's this, but libelling against the senate, And blazoning our injustice everywhere!" Shakesp.: Titus Andronicus , iv. 4.