accusation

Definition

The act of accusing.

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.

Example Sentences

• "We come not by the way of accusation / To taint that honour every good tongue blesses."
• "[They] set up over his head his accusation."
• "ungrounded accusations"