What does libeler mean?
A libeler is a person who makes or publishes a libellous statement, especially a written or recorded accusation that is false, malicious, and damaging to another person's reputation. The term is relatively uncommon in general use, appearing most often in legal, journalistic, or literary discussion. It is more specific and more strongly accusatory than a critic, since it identifies someone as deliberately defaming another person rather than merely expressing an adverse opinion. A libeler might be described as a serial libeler, habitual defamer, or slanderer, depending on the circumstances and the medium involved. Although dictionaries often record libeller as a variant spelling, libeler is the standard form in contemporary American usage, and both spellings occur in British English. The word belongs to the same historical family as libel and libellous, all of which derive from a Latin term for a small book.
nounA person who publishes or makes a libellous statement, especially one that defames another person.
- A person who makes or publishes a libellous statement; a defamer.
"The court described the accused as a habitual libeler who had repeatedly targeted his neighbours."
"The newspaper withdrew the article after identifying its anonymous source as a libeler."
"She sued the libeler for publishing false allegations about her conduct."
The alternative plural libellers is also established, especially in British English.
"The two libelers were ordered to pay substantial legal costs."
The word ultimately reaches back to Latin libellus, literally a “little book” — an unexpected ancestor for a modern term for someone who publishes damaging accusations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does libeler come from?
The word was formed in English by adding the agent-forming suffix -er to libel. English libel came through Anglo-French from Latin libellus, literally a “little book” and originally a formal legal accusation presented in writing. The modern senses of a defamatory publication developed from that older legal vocabulary, while libeller continued to denote the person responsible for making such a statement.
Related word forms
How libeler is actually used
This is a relatively uncommon and somewhat literary or legal word. In ordinary usage, defamer is usually more natural, while the plural may appear as either libelers or libellers.
Easily confused with libeler
Libeller is an alternative spelling of the same noun, not a word with a separate meaning.