indict

[in-dahyt] /ɪnˈdaɪt/
verb (used with object)
1.
(of a grand jury) to bring a formal accusation against, as a means of bringing to trial:
The grand jury indicted him for murder.
2.
to charge with an offense or crime; accuse of wrongdoing; castigate; criticize:
He tends to indict everyone of plotting against him.
Origin
1620-30; variant spelling (< Medieval Latin) of indite
Related forms
indictee, noun
indicter, indictor, noun
reindict, verb (used with object)
unindicted, adjective
Can be confused
indict, indite.
Examples from the web for indict
  • For generations, arson inspectors have used outmoded theories to help indict and incarcerate many suspects.
  • Seriously off topic but to try to indict all the folks you listed for treason is a joke.
  • Their decision to investigate or indict can bankrupt a business or destroy a life.
British Dictionary definitions for indict

indict

/ɪnˈdaɪt/
verb
1.
(transitive) to charge (a person) with crime, esp formally in writing; accuse
Derived Forms
indictee, noun
indicter, indictor, noun
indite
Word Origin
C14: alteration of enditen to indite
Word Origin and History for indict
v.

c.1300, from Anglo-French enditer "accuse, indict" (late 13c.), Old French enditer "to dictate or inform," from Late Latin *indictare "to declare, proclaim in writing," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + dictare "to say, compose in words" (see dictate). Retained its French pronunciation even after the spelling was re-Latinized c.1600. In classical Latin, indictus meant "not said, unsaid." Related: Indictable; indicted; indicting.