|
| Word study:Libel |
| 2002年12月11日14:18:03 中国日报网站 |
What does it mean?
1. false written or printed statement that damages someone's reputation
2. the act or crime of publishing a libel
How do we use it?
That interview was an absolute libel on a honest man.
Word quiz
At the root of "libel" is the Latin word "liber." What do you think "liber" means?
A. lamp
B. chair
C. book
D. fork
Key
[C]
The ancient Romans originally used "liber" for the inner bark of a tree. Because they used the bark to write on, "liber" came to mean a written document. After papyrus replaced the bark, "liber" was used to refer to papyrus scrolls, or "books." The French adopted a form of "liber" to mean "little book," and English speakers borrowed the French word as "libel." Later, "libel" was used for handbills and leaflets. Because such leaflets were a popular means of spreading gossip and unflattering statements about famous people, the meaning of "libel" extended to such stories and to the wrongful act of writing them.
|
手机短信，推荐新闻给好友 |
| 【我要发表评论】
【】
【关闭窗口】
|
|
|
 |
| 相关文章 |
|
| 最近一小时热门文章 |
|
| 频道精选 |
|
