accusation
UK: ˌæk.jʊˈzeɪ.ʃən | US: ˌæk.jəˈzeɪ.ʃən
n. a formal charge of wrongdoing; the act of accusing someone
n. a statement asserting that someone is guilty of a fault or crime
accusation = accus<blame> + ation<noun suffix>
- accus<blame>: From Latin accusare ("to call to account"), combining ad- (toward) + causa (cause, reason). In English, it retains the core meaning of assigning blame.
- ation<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns of action or state (e.g., "creation," "education"), derived from Latin -atio.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin accusatio, blending accusare (to accuse) with the noun-forming -atio. It entered Middle English via Old French, preserving the legal and moral connotation of formally charging someone with wrongdoing. The morphemes logically combine to reflect the act ("-ation") of laying blame ("accus-").
The politician denied the accusation of corruption.
Her voice trembled as she made the accusation.
Without evidence, an accusation is merely slander.
The court dismissed the false accusation.
He faced public accusation after the scandal broke.