The act of attaching a label or name to something, or the process of falsely accusing someone.
From be- (prefix meaning 'to make' or 'to cover') + libel (from Latin libellus, meaning 'little book' or 'written accusation'). The word evolved from legal terminology where written accusations were formally documented.
During medieval times, libel literally meant a formal written complaint—you'd have to write it down to make it official! By adding 'be-' to it, English speakers created a verb meaning to actively slap a label or accusation on someone, which is why calling someone a false name is so powerful legally.
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