accusation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The act of accusing.

   We come not by the way of accusation / To taint that honour every good tongue blesses.

2. 2
   noun

   A formal charge brought against a person in a court of law.

   [They] set up over his head his accusation.

3. 3
   noun

   An allegation.

   ungrounded accusations

4. 4
   noun

   an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence

5. 5
   noun

   a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person

Etymology

First attested in the late 14th century. Inherited from Middle English accusacion, borrowed from Old French acusacion (French: accusation), from Latin accūsātiō (“accusation, indictment”), from accūsō (“blame, accuse”). Doublet of accusatio. More at accuse. Equivalent to accuse + -ation.