indictment

The story

1. Latin · derived fromindictus
2. Late Latin · derived fromindictāre
3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromenditement
4. Middle English · inherited fromendytement“action of accusing”
5. English todayindictment

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

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. An official formal accusation for a criminal offence, or the process by which it is brought to a jury.
• from 16th c. The official legal document outlining the charges concerned; bill of indictment.
• from 19th c. An accusation of wrongdoing; a criticism or condemnation.