(~s)
1.
If you say that one thing is an ~ of another thing, you mean that it shows how bad the other thing is.
It’s a sad ~ of society that policemen are regarded as easy targets by thugs.
N-COUNT: oft N of n
2.
An ~ is a formal accusation that someone has committed a crime. (mainly AM LEGAL)
Prosecutors may soon seek an ~ on racketeering and fraud charges...
= charge
N-VAR: oft N against n