Defamation
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
[L. Lat. defamatio, diffamatio; from fama, reputation.] The taking from one's reputation. The offence of injuring a person's character, fame or reputation, either by writing or by words. Written defamation is otherwise termed libel, and oral defamation, slander. Cooke's Law of Defamation, I. See Libel, Slander.