libel etymology

Etymology

The word "libel" comes from the Latin word "libellus," which means "little book." In Roman law, a "libellus" was a written accusation or petition. The term was later adopted into English law to refer to a written statement that damages someone's reputation.

Meaning

Libel is a legal term that refers to the publication of a false and defamatory statement that harms someone's reputation. The statement can be written, spoken, or published in any other form.

Origin

The concept of libel has its origins in ancient times. In ancient Greece, defamation was considered a serious crime, and those who were found guilty of it could be fined or even exiled. In Roman law, libel was considered a civil wrong, and those who were found guilty of it could be ordered to pay damages to the victim.

The law of libel in England developed from the Roman law of defamation. In the 17th century, the English courts began to recognize the importance of protecting people's reputations, and they developed a number of rules to govern libel actions. These rules have been refined over the years, and they continue to form the basis of the law of libel in England and other common law countries.

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