indictment

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an accusation of wrongdoing

   the book is an indictment of modern philosophy

2. 2
   noun

   An official formal accusation for a criminal offence, or the process by which it is brought to a jury.

   But she accomplished the third task — the one that mattered most to her boss — securing a criminal indictment against Mr. Comey, the former F.B.I. director.

3. 3
   noun

   The official legal document outlining the charges concerned; bill of indictment.

   […]— the indictment will remain sealed until his expected arraignment on Tuesday, when the charges will be formally revealed.

4. 4
   noun

   An accusation of wrongdoing; a criticism or condemnation.

   Can there be a greater indictment against patriotism than that it will thus brand a man a criminal, throw him into prison, and rob him of the results of fifteen years of faithful service?

5. 5
   noun

   Evidence of failure or poor performance.

   an indictment of his ability to lead

6. 6
   noun

   a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense

Etymology

18th-century Latinized respelling of Middle English endytement (“action of accusing”), from Anglo-Norman enditement, from enditer, from Late Latin indictāre, from Latin indictus.