impeach

impeach
This word means "to accuse" (especially an official),"to bring charges against," "to challenge the credibility of someone," "to call to account." Impeach comes from a Latin term meaning "to trap," and, contrary to widespread opinion, does not mean "to convict," "to find guilty." President Andrew Johnson was impeached; that is, charges were brought by the House of Representatives, but he was not convicted (found guilty) by the Senate. To impeach is to indict, not to convict. Impeachment is followed by a trial to determine guilt or innocence.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • impeach — im·peach /im pēch/ vt [Anglo French empecher, from Old French empeechier to hinder, from Late Latin impedicare to fetter, from Latin in + pedica fetter, from ped pes foot] 1: to charge with a crime or misconduct; specif: to charge (a public… …   Law dictionary

  • Impeach — Im*peach , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Impeached}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Impeaching}.] [OE. empeechier to prevent, hinder, bar, F. emp[^e]cher, L. impedicare to entangle; pref. im in + pedica fetter, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See {Foot}, and {Appeach},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Impeach — Im*peach , n. Hindrance; impeachment. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • impeach — UK US /ɪmˈpiːtʃ/ verb [T] LAW, GOVERNMENT ► especially in the US, to formally accuse a public official of a serious offence in connection with their job: »He was suspended and later impeached amid a $60 million financial scandal. impeachable… …   Financial and business terms

  • impeach — (v.) late 14c., to impede, hinder, prevent, from Anglo Fr. empecher, O.Fr. empeechier hinder (12c., Mod.Fr. empêcher), from L.L. impedicare to fetter, catch, entangle, from from assimilated form of in into, in (see IN (Cf. in ) (2)) + L. pedica… …   Etymology dictionary

  • impeach — indict, incriminate, *accuse, charge, arraign Analogous words: condemn, denounce, blame, censure (see CRITICIZE): try, test, *prove Contrasted words: *exculpate, vindicate, exonerate, acquit, absolve …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • impeach — in BrE means ‘to charge with a crime against the State, especially treason’, and in AmE means ‘to charge (the holder of a public office) with misconduct’. It does not mean ‘to dismiss from office’ in either variety …   Modern English usage

  • impeach — [v] denounce, censure accuse, arraign, blame, bring charges against, call into question, call to account, cast aspersions on, cast doubt on, challenge, charge, criminate, criticize, discredit, disparage, hold at fault, impugn, incriminate,… …   New thesaurus

  • impeach — ► VERB 1) call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice). 2) Brit. charge with treason or another crime against the state. 3) chiefly US charge (the holder of a public office) with misconduct. DERIVATIVES impeachable adjective… …   English terms dictionary

  • impeach — [im pēch′] vt. [ME empechen < OFr empechier, to hinder < LL impedicare, to fetter, entangle < L in , in + pedica, a fetter < pes, FOOT] 1. to challenge or discredit (a person s honor, reputation, etc.) 2. to challenge the practices or …   English World dictionary

  • impeach — v. (D; tr.) to impeach for (to impeach smb. for taking bribes) * * * [ɪm piːtʃ] (D; tr.) to impeach for (to impeach smb. for taking bribes) …   Combinatory dictionary

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