1297, from O.Fr. acuser, from L. accusare "to call to account," from ad- "against" + causari "give as a cause or motive," from causa "reason." Accusatory is first attested 1601, from L. accusatorius.
Main Entry: ac·cuse Function: verb Inflected Forms: ac·cused; ac·cus·ing Etymology: Latin accusare to find fault with, charge with a crime, from ad to, at + causa legal case, trial transitive verb : to charge with an offense judicially or by a public process —compare INDICT intransitive verb : to make or bring an accusation —ac·cus·ernoun
Main Entry: ac·cused Pronunciation: &-'kyüzd Function: noun Inflected Form: pluralaccused : a person who has been arrested for or formally charged with a crime : the defendant in a criminal case accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial —U.S. Constitution amendment VI> NOTE: Certain rights guaranteed by the Constitution, such as the right to counsel, become effective once a person is characterized as an accused.