I. ə̇mˈpēch transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English empechen, from Middle French empecher, from Old French empeechier, from Late Latin impedicare to entangle, fetter, from Latin in- in- (II) + pedica fetter, from ped-, pes foot — more at foot
1. obsolete : hinder , prevent , impede
2.
a. : to bring an accusation (as of wrongdoing or impropriety) against : charge with a crime or misdemeanor ; specifically : to charge (a public official) before a competent tribunal with misbehavior in office : arraign or cite for official misconduct
impeach the president
impeach a circuit-court judge
b. : to inform against or give incriminating evidence against : accuse or aid in accusing : peach on
c. : to challenge, impugn, or charge as having some fault especially as biased, venal, not credible, or invalid
the testimony of the 1850 federal census … impeaches the accuracy of his memory — Dixon Wecter
in a state of mind to impeach the justice of the republic — Charles Dickens
impeach the testimony of a witness
3. : to convict of impropriety, misdemeanor, misconduct in office, or bias, venality, or invalidity ; also : to cause (an official) to be removed from office because of such a conviction
Synonyms: see accuse
II. noun
obsolete : impeachment