accusation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal.

   He strongly denied the accusation that he had lied.

2. 2
   noun

   A formal charge that someone has committed a crime, brought in a court of law.

   The accusation against her was read out in court.

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.

Topics