Libel

li'bel, n. (Law.) A defamatory writing: published defamation; lampoon; satire. (Civil Law and Courts of Admiralty.) A written declaration by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks. Crime of publishing a defamatory writing.— v. t. [libeled (-beld), -belixg.] To defame or expose to public hatred and contempt by a writing, picture, sign, etc. (Law.) To proceed against by filing a libel, esp. against a ship or goods. — Li'belous, -us, a. Defamatory- Liberal, lib'er-al, a. Free by birth; refined; befitting a freeman or gentleman; bestowing with a free hand; open-hearted; not narrow in mind; catholic; bountiful, — said of a gift; profuse; not restricted; not bound by orthodox or established tenets in political or religious philosophy; friendly to great freedom ment; not in strict the forms or literal, of administration — n. One who "of advocates govern freedom from restraint, esp. in political or religious matters. — Liberality, -t-tl, n. Munificence; bounty; act of generosity; donation; gratuity; largene of mind; catholicity; candor; impartiality. — Liberalize, v. t. [-ized (-Izd), -izixg.] To render liberal or catholic, free from narrow views or prejudices, enlarge. — Lib'erally, adv. In a liberal manner: generously; with regard to other interests than one's own; with enlarged views; freely; not literally. — Lib'erate, -er-St, v. t. To release from restraint, set at liberty, deliver, free, manumit; disengage. — Libera'tion, n. Act of delivering, or state of being delivered, from restraint, confinement, or slavery. — Lib'era'tor, -ter, n. One who, etc.— Lib'ertine, -tin, n. (Horn. Antiq.) One manumitted, or set free from servitude; a freedman. One free from restraint; one who leads a di olute, licentious life; a rake; debauchee; a skeptic; free thinker. — a. Free from restraint; uncontrolled; di olute; licentious.— Lib'erty, -er-tT, n. State of one who is free; ability to do as one pleases; permi ion granted; leave; privilege; immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant; place within which certain privileges or immunities are enjoyed, or jurisdiction is exercised; permi ion to go about freely within certain limits, as in a place of confinement; limits within which such freedom or privilege is had; freedom from, or neglect of observance of, the laws of etiquette, propriety, or courtesy; power of choice; freedom from compulsion or' constraint. — Libidinous, -1-nus, a. Eager for sexual indulgence; fitted to excite lustful desire; lewd: lascivious; unchaste: licentious; salacious.