Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
[ad_1] verb (used with object)
- to call or bring before a court to answer to an indictment.
- to accuse or charge in general; criticize adversely; censure.
verb (tr)
- to bring (a prisoner) before a court to answer an indictment
- to call to account; complain about; accuse
late 14c., araynen, “to call to account,” from Old French araisnier “speak to, address; accuse (in a law court),” from Vulgar Latin *arrationare, from Latin adrationare, from ad- “to” (see ad-) + *rationare, from ratio “argumentation, reckoning, calculation” (see ratio). Sense of “to call up on a criminal charge” is c.1400. The excrescent -g- is a 16c. overcorrection based on reign, etc. Related: Arraigned; arraigning.