allegation
UK: ˌæl.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən | US: ˌæl.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən
n. a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof
n. the act of alleging; a formal accusation
allegation = allege<to claim> + ation<noun suffix>
- allege (from Latin allegare, meaning "to send, depute; claim, assert," combining ad- (to) + legare (to send, depute))
- ation (a suffix forming nouns indicating an action or process, from Latin -ationem)
Etymology Origin:
The word "allegation" traces back to Latin allegatio, derived from allegare (to assert or send as evidence). Over time, it evolved in Middle English (via Old French allegacion) to denote a formal claim or accusation, often lacking concrete proof. The root legare (to send) hints at the idea of "presenting" a claim, while the suffix -ation standardizes it as a noun of action.
The lawyer denied the allegation of misconduct against his client.
She made a serious allegation of fraud against the company.
The police are investigating the allegations of corruption.
Without evidence, his allegation remained unproven.
The report dismissed the allegation as baseless.