Indictment
/ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA formal accusation of a crime, voted by a grand jury, which initiates a criminal case.
/ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/
A formal accusation by a grand jury.
The grand jury returned an indictment against the defendant.
💡 Simply: Imagine a judge saying you're in trouble with the law. An indictment is like a formal 'you're being accused' paper, decided by a group of people called a grand jury. Like, if you were playing a game and someone said, "The game is indicting you for cheating!"
👶 For kids: It's like when someone says you did something wrong, but a special group of people says it for real.
More Examples
The indictment charged the suspect with multiple counts of fraud.
The lawyer prepared to fight the indictment in court.
How It's Used
"The grand jury issued an indictment against the former CEO."
"The indictment was a major development in the ongoing investigation."
An expression of strong disapproval; a condemnation.
/ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/
The novel was an indictment of societal injustice.
💡 Simply: It’s like when you really, *really* disapprove of something or someone. Think of it as a strongly worded complaint or criticism. Like if someone wrote a song or a book that was an indictment of how the school treated the students.
👶 For kids: It’s like when someone is really, really mad about something.
More Examples
The critics' reviews were a harsh indictment of the play.
The film serves as an indictment of war and its consequences.
How It's Used
"The book was an indictment of modern consumerism."
"Her speech served as an indictment of the government's policies."
Synonyms
From Middle English enditement, from Old French enditement, from enditer (“to indict”). The root, 'dict', derives from Latin 'dicere', meaning 'to say' or 'to declare'.
Historically, the term 'indictment' has been used in legal proceedings since the 14th century, evolving from written accusations to formal charges presented before a court.
Memory tip
Think 'in' + 'dict' (to say). An indictment is when a jury *says* you're accused.