impute
UK: ɪmˈpjuːt | US: ɪmˈpjuːt
vt. to attribute (a fault, responsibility, or action) to someone or something
vt. (in theology) to ascribe righteousness or guilt to someone by divine authority
The word impute originates from Latin imputare ("to attribute, charge, or assign"), combining in- (upon) and putare (to think/reckon). The term evolved in Middle English via Old French empter, retaining its core sense of assigning responsibility or value. The theological usage (e.g., "imputed righteousness") reflects its application in moral or divine accounting, where qualities are "reckoned" to a person.
The CEO imputed the company's failure to poor market conditions.
In some religious doctrines, sin is imputed to all humanity through Adam.
The judge refused to impute blame without evidence.
Critics impute malicious motives to the politician's actions.
The accountant imputed the missing funds to an administrative error.