accuser
UK: əˈkjuːzə | US: əˈkjuzər
n. a person who accuses someone else of wrongdoing, especially in a legal context
accuser = accuse<to blame> + er<agent noun suffix>
- accuse (from Latin accusare: ad- (toward) + causa (cause, reason)) → "to call someone to account"
- -er (agentive suffix in English, indicating "one who does")
Etymology Origin:
The word "accuser" originates from the Latin accusare, meaning "to call to account." The prefix ad- (toward) combined with causa (reason) formed the verb accusare, which entered Old French as acuser and later Middle English as accusen. The suffix -er was added in English to denote "one who accuses," solidifying its role in legal and moral contexts.
The accuser testified in court against the defendant.
Without evidence, the accuser’s claims were dismissed.
She became the primary accuser in the high-profile case.
The defense lawyer cross-examined the accuser rigorously.
An anonymous accuser submitted the complaint to the authorities.