indictment
indictment Lexical Profile
indictment Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A formal written accusation issued by a grand jury or prosecuting authority charging a person with a serious crime.
"The federal grand jury returned a sweeping indictment charging the executives with securities fraud."
A circumstance, statement, or situation that serves as a severe condemnation or proof that a system, policy, or society is deeply flawed.
"The high rate of childhood poverty is a damning indictment of the region's economic policies."
Word Nuance & Usage
The 'c' is completely silent, so the word is pronounced to rhyme with 'excitement'. In strict legal usage, an indictment is a formal charge issued by a grand jury, which establishes that a trial is warranted rather than proving actual guilt.
• Rhymes for indictment
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English as 'enditement' from Anglo-French 'enditement', from Old French 'enditer' ('to dictate, write down, or accuse'), ultimately from Late Latin 'indictare' ('to declare or proclaim'). The silent 'c' was inserted in the 16th century by scholars who wished to align the English spelling with its Latin root.