impeach
Synonyms:
accuse, blame, challenge, charge, criminate, defame [archaic], impugn, incriminate, indict, prosecute, question.
Related Words:
arraign, challenge, criminate, criticize, disparage, discredit, inculpate, indict, query, reprehend, reprimand, reprobate, tax, try.
Antonyms:
absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate.
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. [British Dictionary:] C14: from Old French empeechier, from Late Latin impedicāre to entangle, catch, from Latin im- (in) + pedica a fetter, from pēs foot. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of impeach: Verb: 1569. Noun: 1590. History and Etymology for impeach: Verb: Middle English empechen, from Anglo-French empecher, enpechier to ensnare, impede, prosecute, from Late Latin impedicare to fetter, from Latin in- + pedica fetter, from ped-, pes foot — more at foot. —Merriam-Webster.
Late Middle English (also in the sense ‘hinder, prevent’; earlier as empeche): from Old French empecher ‘impede’, from late Latin impedicare ‘catch, entangle’ (based on pedica ‘a fetter’, from pes, ped- ‘foot’). Compare with impede. —Lexico.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4.
Updated: 25 July 2020 {1:21 PM}
accuse, blame, challenge, charge, criminate, defame [archaic], impugn, incriminate, indict, prosecute, question.
Related Words:
arraign, challenge, criminate, criticize, disparage, discredit, inculpate, indict, query, reprehend, reprimand, reprobate, tax, try.
Antonyms:
absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate.
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. [British Dictionary:] C14: from Old French empeechier, from Late Latin impedicāre to entangle, catch, from Latin im- (in) + pedica a fetter, from pēs foot. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of impeach: Verb: 1569. Noun: 1590. History and Etymology for impeach: Verb: Middle English empechen, from Anglo-French empecher, enpechier to ensnare, impede, prosecute, from Late Latin impedicare to fetter, from Latin in- + pedica fetter, from ped-, pes foot — more at foot. —Merriam-Webster.
Late Middle English (also in the sense ‘hinder, prevent’; earlier as empeche): from Old French empecher ‘impede’, from late Latin impedicare ‘catch, entangle’ (based on pedica ‘a fetter’, from pes, ped- ‘foot’). Compare with impede. —Lexico.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4.
Updated: 25 July 2020 {1:21 PM}