im ‧ pli ‧ cate AC /ˈɪmpləkeɪt, ˈɪmplɪkeɪt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ implicate ; noun : ↑ implication ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of implicare 'to twist together, make complicated' ]
1 . to show or suggest that someone is involved in a crime or dishonest act:
The allegations implicated Abe to such an extent he was forced to resign.
implicate somebody in something
Three police officers are implicated in the cover-up.
2 . [usually passive] formal if something is implicated in something bad or harmful, it is shown to be its cause
be implicated in something
Viruses are known to be implicated in the development of some cancers.