accuse

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To say that someone has done something wrong or illegal.

   I accused my neighbor of breaking my window.

2. 2
   verb

   To formally charge someone with a crime.

   He was accused of theft and brought before the court.

First attested around 1300. From Middle English acusen, from Old French acuser, from Latin accūsō (“to call to account, accuse”), from ad (“to”) + causa (“cause, lawsuit, reason”). Akin to cause. Displaced native English bewray.

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