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indict

 - 4 dictionary results

in⋅dict

  [in-dahyt]
Use indict in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. (of a grand jury) to bring a formal accusation against, as a means of bringing to trial: The grand jury indicted him for murder.
2. to charge with an offense or crime; accuse of wrongdoing; castigate; criticize: He tends to indict everyone of plotting against him.
Origin:
1620–30; var. sp. (< ML) of indite

Related forms:
in⋅dict⋅ee, noun
in⋅dict⋅er, in⋅dict⋅or, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To indict
in·dict   (ĭn-dīt')   
tr.v.   in·dict·ed, in·dict·ing, in·dicts

  1. To accuse of wrongdoing; charge: a book that indicts modern values.

  2. Law To make a formal accusation or indictment against (a party) by the findings of a jury, especially a grand jury.


[Alteration of Middle English enditen, to accuse, write a document; see indite.]
in'dict·ee' (ĭn'dī-tē') n., in·dict'er, in·dict'or n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

indict 
c.1303, from Anglo-Fr. enditer "accuse, indict" (1278), from O.Fr. enditer "to dictate or inform," from M.L. indictare "to declare, proclaim in writing," from L. in- "in" + dictare "to say, compose in words" (see dictate). Retained its Fr. pronunciation even after the spelling was re-Latinized c.1600.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·dict
Pronunciation: in-'dIt
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: alteration of earlier indite, from Anglo-French enditer, from Old French, to write down, ultimately from Latin indicere to proclaim, from in- toward + dicere to say
: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a grand jury in due form of law —compare ACCUSE, ARRAIGN, CHARGE
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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