Which term describes the act of holding a person against their will?

The term that describes the act of holding a person against their will is false imprisonment. This legal concept refers to the unlawful restraint of an individual's freedom to move without consent. It occurs when someone restricts or confines another person in a bounded area without legal justification or the individual's agreement.

False imprisonment can occur in various situations, such as when a person is physically restrained, when they are told they cannot leave, or when a person is wrongfully detained by an authority figure. It is crucial to understand that this does not necessarily require physical barriers; verbal threats or an assertion of authority can be sufficient if they result in the impaired freedom of movement.

The other terms provided deal with different legal concepts. Libel and slander relate to defamation and harm to a person's reputation through false statements, while assault involves the threat or attempt to cause physical harm, rather than the physical restraint or confinement central to false imprisonment.