以上三個單詞均有誹鎊或侵犯名譽的含義。其中，defamation (“毀譽”）是通用的法律概念，指通過向第三者傳播虛假事實而致使他人(申訴者）名譽受損。其可包含兩種形式的名譽誹鎊，即libel和slander[1]。前者，即libel為“書面誹謗”， 指以書寫的、印刷的、電影的、廣播的、或其他可永久保留的形式對他人的名譽進行的誹鎊[2]。而slander則為“口頭誹鎊”， 主要指用口頭的，或其他無法保留的形式的言論破壞他人的名譽[3]。在英、美、加拿大等國，誹鎊一般屬于侵權(quán)責(zé)任范疇, 但依據(jù)普通法規(guī)定，如書面誹鎊，即libel的內(nèi)容屬褻瀆、猥褻、 煽動性質(zhì)，則可視為犯罪被起訴[4]。相比之下，slander無論如何也構(gòu)不成犯罪，此外，對slander提起侵權(quán)之訴多需旁證證明的確造成事實損害等方可[5]。
[1]“The negligent, reckless, or intentional communication to a third person of a falsehood that is injurious to the reputation of a living individual, or of a corporation or other organization. Defamation is the basis for the torts of libel and slander." Cf. James E. Clapp, Random House Webster's Dictionary of the Law, at p. 129, Random House (2000).
[2]“A defamatory statement expressed in a fixed medium, esp. writing but also a picture, sign, or electronic broadcast. " Cf. Biyan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition ,at p. 927，West Group (1999).
[3]“A defamatory statement expressed in a transitory form, esp. speech." Id. at p. 1392.
[4]“Libel is not merely an actionable tort, but also a criminal offense. " Cf. The Publisher's Editorial Staff, Black's Law Dictionary, abridged 6th edition, at p. 1393, West Publishing Co. (1991).
[5]“ Libel is in all cases actionable pe se； but slander is，save in special cases，actionable only on proof of actual damage." Id. at p. 1393.