indictment
UK: ɪnˈdaɪtmənt | US: ɪnˈdaɪtmənt
n. a formal accusation initiating a criminal case
n. the act of indicting or state of being indicted
n. (figurative) a strong criticism or condemnation
indictment = in<into/against> + dict<say> + ment<noun suffix>
- in (prefix): from Latin in-, meaning "into" or "against."
- dict (root): from Latin dictare (to declare or say), related to dicere (to speak).
- ment (suffix): from Latin -mentum, forming nouns indicating action or result.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin indictare (to declare publicly), combining in- (against) + dictare (to say). It entered English via Old French enditer (to accuse), evolving into "indict" (to formally accuse) and later "indictment" (the formal accusation itself). The root dict reflects the legal tradition of verbal declarations in court.
The grand jury issued an indictment against the suspect.
His speech was a sharp indictment of government corruption.
Without sufficient evidence, the indictment was dismissed.
The prosecutor prepared the indictment carefully.
The media framed the report as an indictment of corporate greed.