INDICTMENT

indictment, bill of indictment

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

indictment

(noun) an accusation of wrongdoing; “the book is an indictment of modern philosophy”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

indictment (countable and uncountable, plural indictments)

(legal) An official formal accusation for a criminal offence, or the process by which it is brought to a jury. [from 14th c.]

(legal) The official legal document outlining the charges concerned; bill of indictment. [from 16th c.]

(countable, uncountable) An accusation of wrongdoing; a criticism or condemnation. [from 19th c.]

Hyponyms

• preindictment

• reindictment

Source: Wiktionary

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In*dict"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. Inditement.]

1. The act of indicting, or the state of being indicted.

2. (Law)

Definition: The formal statement of an offense, as framed by the prosecuting authority of the State, and found by the grand jury.

Note: To the validity of an indictment a finding by the grand jury is essential, while an information rests only on presentation by the prosecuting authority.

3. An accusation in general; a formal accusation. Bill of indictment. See under Bill.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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