Libelous \Li"bel*ous\ (l[imac]"b[e^]l*[u^]s), a.
Containing or involving a libel; defamatory; containing that
which exposes some person to public hatred, contempt, or
ridicule; as, a libelous pamphlet. [Written also
{libellous}.] -- {Li"bel*ous*ly}, adv.
[1913 Webster]