accusation
nounUS, UK /ˌæk.jʊˈzeɪ.ʃ(ə)n/
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.
1
The act of accusing.
- We come not by the way of accusation / To taint that honour every good tongue blesses.1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
2
Law A formal charge brought against a person in a court of law.
- [They] set up over his head his accusation.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 27:37:
3
An allegation.
- ungrounded accusations
- a blind accusation
2 more examples
- repeated accusations
- an accusation of a crime
- Synonyms
- allegation, assertion, censure, charge, crimination, detection, impeachment