Also 7 libellour. [f. LIBEL v. + -ER1.] One who libels another; one who publishes a libel or libels.
1589. Cooper (title), An Admonition to the People of England wherein are answered … the slaunderous vntruethes vttered by Martin [Marprelate] the Libeller.
1626. Massinger, Rom. Actor, I. iii. In thee, as being the chiefe of thy profession, I doe accuse the qualitie of treason, As libellers against the state and Cæsar.
1634. Peacham, Gentl. Exerc., I. iii. 9. To buy it [pleasure] … with losse … of his eares for a libeller.
1642. Milton, Apol. Smect., Wks. 1851, III. 285. If he hop’t the Prelats had no intelligence with the libellours.
1709. Tatler, No. 88, ¶ 7. The Squibs are those who in the common Phrase of the World are call’d Libellers, Lampooners and Pamphleteers.
1742. Ld. Hardwicke, in Atkyns’ Rep. (1794), III. 479. All the libellers of the kingdom know now, that printing initial letters will not serve their turn.
1820. Byron, Mar. Fal., II. i. 240. Oh! had this false and flippant libeller Shed his young blood for his absurd lampoon.
a. 1862. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), III. v. 298. The Scotch divines … were the libellers of their species, they calumniated the whole human race.
Comb. 1600. W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 106. Became an officious Agent, libeller-like to Rome, by writing against his brethren the seculars.
