I. ə̇nˈdīt, usu -īd.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Medieval Latin indictare to indict, from Anglo-French enditer ) of earlier indite, endite, from Middle English inditen, enditen, from Anglo-French enditer, from Old French, to write down, compose — more at indite
1. : to charge with some wrong or fault or inadequacy usually formally and after carefully weighing the matter and as if summoning for trial : bring a charge against : formally accuse ; especially : to attack by accusation and condemn
I indict those citizens whose easy consciences condone such wrongdoings — F.D.Roosevelt
2. : to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (as a grand jury) in due form of law
was indicted for murder
were indicted with conspiracy to defraud
Synonyms: see accuse
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French indicter, from indict decreed, from Latin indictus, past participle of indicere, from in- in- (II) + dicere to say — more at diction
obsolete : proclaim , decree