Anklage
/ˈaŋ.klaː.ɡə/noun
A formal accusation or charge against someone, especially in a legal context.
Did you know?German Anklage is built on the prefix an- (“to, at, on”) plus klagen (“to lament, accuse”), and klagen is the same ancient root behind English complain and proclaim — proof that accusation and public speech have been tied together for centuries.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kl̥h₂-
“to cry out, call, shout”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*klagōną
“to lament, complain”
Old High German
OHG
klagōn
“to complain, lament”
Middle High German
MHG
anklage
“accusation, complaint”
Modern German
German
Anklage
“formal accusation, indictment”