impeach

[im-peech] /ɪmˈpitʃ/
verb (used with object)
1.
to accuse (a public official) before an appropriate tribunal of misconduct in office.
2.
Chiefly Law. to challenge the credibility of:
to impeach a witness.
3.
to bring an accusation against.
4.
to call in question; cast an imputation upon:
to impeach a person's motives.
5.
to call to account.
noun
6.
Obsolete, impeachment.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English empechen, enpeshen < Anglo-French empecher < Late Latin impedicāre to fetter, trap, equivalent to Latin im- im-1 + pedic(a) a fetter (derivative of pēs foot) + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive suffix
Related forms
impeacher, noun
unimpeached, adjective
Synonyms
4. question, challenge, impugn.
British Dictionary definitions for impeach

impeach

/ɪmˈpiːtʃ/
verb (transitive)
1.
(criminal law) to bring a charge or accusation against
2.
(Brit, criminal law) to accuse of a crime, esp of treason or some other offence against the state
3.
(mainly US) to charge (a public official) with an offence committed in office
4.
to challenge or question (a person's honesty, integrity, etc)
Derived Forms
impeacher, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French empeechier, from Late Latin impedicāre to entangle, catch, from Latin im- (in) + pedica a fetter, from pēs foot
Word Origin and History for impeach
v.

late 14c., "to impede, hinder, prevent," from Anglo-French empecher, Old French empeechier "hinder" (12c., Modern French empêcher), from Late Latin impedicare "to fetter, catch, entangle," from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (see in- (2)) + Latin pedica "shackle," from pes (genitive pedis) "foot." Sense of "accuse a public officer of misconduct" first recorded 1560s, perhaps via confusion with Latin impetere "attack, accuse." Related: Impeached; impeaching.