E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Li’bel
means a little book (Latin, libellus). A lampoon, a satire, or any defamatory writings. Originally it meant a plaintiff’s statement of his case, which usually “defames” the defendant.
1
The greater the truth, the greater the libel. The dictum of William Murray, Earl of Mansfield (1704–1793).
2
“Dost not know that old Mansfield, who writes like the Bible,
Says: ‘The more ’tis a truth, sir, the more ’tis a libel’?”
