accused
UK: əˈkjuːzd | US: əˈkjuzd
n. A person or group charged with a crime or wrongdoing.
vt. (past tense of accuse) To have charged someone with an offense or fault.
accused = accus<blame> + ed<past participle suffix>
- accus (from Latin accusare, meaning "to blame or call to account")
- ed (English past participle suffix, indicating completed action)
Etymology Origin:
The word accused originates from the Latin accusare ("to blame"), combining ad- (toward) and causa (cause, reason). It entered English via Old French acusare, evolving into accuse in Middle English. The suffix -ed marks it as the past participle of accuse, solidifying its role as a noun for the charged individual or the verb form denoting the act of charging.
The accused pleaded not guilty in court.
She accused him of stealing her ideas.
The lawyer defended the accused vigorously.
He was accused of breaking the contract.
The accused remained silent during the trial.