ar·raign·ment

[uh-reyn-muhnt]
noun
1.
an act of arraigning or the state of being arraigned.
2.
a calling into question or a finding fault, especially with respect to the value or virtue of something; critical examination.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English arainement < Middle French araisnement. See arraign, -ment

non·ar·raign·ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
arraign (əˈreɪn) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to bring (a prisoner) before a court to answer an indictment
2.  to call to account; complain about; accuse
 
[C14: from Old French araisnier to speak, accuse, from a-² + raisnier, from Vulgar Latin ratiōnāre (unattested) to talk, argue, from Latin ratiō a reasoning]
 
ar'raigner
 
n
 
ar'raignment
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Arraignment is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

arraignment
1540s, from O.Fr. araisnement, from araisnier (see arraign).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

arraignment

in Anglo-American law, first encounter of an accused person with the court prior to trial, wherein he is brought to the bar and the charges against him are read. The accused usually enters a plea of guilt or innocence. If he chooses not to plead, a plea of not guilty will be entered for him. A guilty plea will usually result in the case's being handed over for judgment. Sometimes the court will permit a guilty plea to be withdrawn.

Learn more about arraignment with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
The judge at arraignment will not grant a defendant's request to dismiss any
  charges.
But here is a substantial arraignment of this supposed result of modern school
  methods.
If you have been charged with a felony offense you will need to appear for
  arraignment on the charge.
If you have been arrested for breaking a criminal law, you will be taken to the
  district court for an arraignment.
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